ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to launch year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport beginning on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing the frequency to two weekly services starting from Oct. 25. This new route will make Red Sea International the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network and will strengthen direct connectivity between the UAE capital and Saudi Arabia.
An Airbus A320 will be used by Etihad on this route, featuring eight seats in Business Class and 150 in Economy Class. Each scheduled flight will have a total of 158 seats. The journey time between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International is slightly over three hours. Ticket sales are already open, enabling passengers from Etihad’s wider network to connect via Zayed International Airport to the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Etihad currently offers flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim within Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International broadens its network, focusing on coastal and resort destinations. Throughout the year, the airline also transports travelers for business, family visits, and religious pilgrimages. Customers traveling from markets in the Gulf and Indian subcontinent can reach this new destination with a single connection via Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International expands regional air connectivity
Red Sea International Airport began domestic operations in September 2023 and welcomed its first international flight in April 2024. A direct Doha route was added in October 2025. The airport was developed by Red Sea Global as the gateway to The Red Sea tourism destination on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, which features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain areas, with resorts scattered across coastal and island regions.
A subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Red Sea Global is also responsible for the development of the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International supports access to resorts within The Red Sea development. daa International manages the airport, and travelers can continue their journey from the terminal via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. The airport operates on renewable energy for airside functions, including lighting and navigation systems essential for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad Adds a New Saudi Destination, Growing its Regional Network
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the new route offers travelers quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea within a short flight from Abu Dhabi. Unlike seasonal services, the airline plans to operate this route year-round. The increase from one to two weekly flights will take effect three weeks after the initial service launch. The route will also connect Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its extensive international network.
The inaugural flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings already available. Starting Oct. 25, the twice-weekly schedule will operate on the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and incorporate the Red Sea coast into its regional flight network. The new service provides a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.