ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to launch seasonal flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services from Oct. 25. This new route will establish Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network and will also enhance nonstop connectivity from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
The carrier plans to utilize an Airbus A320 on this route, equipped with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Each scheduled service will offer a total of 158 seats. The flight duration between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International is expected to be just over three hours. Tickets for the route are now available, enabling passengers across Etihad’s extensive network to connect via Zayed International Airport to the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, the airline services Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim within Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International will expand its network to include a destination centered on coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also use Etihad for business, family, and religious trips to Saudi Arabia. The airline highlighted that travelers from Gulf countries and the Indian subcontinent can reach the new destination with a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional air connectivity
Having started domestic operations in September 2023, Red Sea International Airport welcomed its first international flight in April 2024. In October 2025, the airport introduced a direct route to Doha. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the main aviation gateway to The Red Sea tourism area on Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast, featuring islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain terrains, with resorts distributed along the coast and on islands.
A subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Red Sea Global is also responsible for developing the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International Airport facilitates access to resorts within The Red Sea development. daa International manages the airport operations, while travelers can continue their journey from the terminal via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. The airport’s operations are powered by renewable energy, including lighting and navigation systems necessary for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad expands its Saudi network with sixth destination
According to Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves, the new route offers travelers a convenient way to explore the islands and reefs of the Red Sea within a brief flight from Abu Dhabi. The airline plans to operate this service year-round, rather than seasonally. The increase from one to two flights weekly will be implemented three weeks after the initial service begins. The route will also link Red Sea International to both Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub and its extensive international network.
The inaugural flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with tickets already available through the airline. Starting on Oct. 25, the twice-weekly flights will be operated using the same Airbus A320 configuration. With the launch of this service, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and will include the Red Sea coast in its regional route map. This new connection will also provide a direct air link from Abu Dhabi to one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.