ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, but from Oct. 25, the frequency will increase to twice weekly. This new route will establish Red Sea International as Etihad’s sixth Saudi destination, further expanding direct connectivity between the UAE capital and the Kingdom.
The airline will deploy an Airbus A320 for the service, configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, totaling 158 seats per flight. The journey from Abu Dhabi to Red Sea International will take just over three hours. Ticket sales are already open, enabling passengers from Etihad’s broader network to connect via Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad operates flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International broadens that network to include a destination that emphasizes coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also use Etihad for business, family, and religious journeys to Saudi Arabia. The airline highlighted that travelers from Gulf countries and the Indian subcontinent can reach this new destination via a single connection through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional air connectivity
Since beginning domestic flights in September 2023 and launching its first international service in April 2024, Red Sea International Airport has gradually expanded. In October 2025, it introduced a direct connection to Doha. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the main gateway to The Red Sea tourism destination on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast. The area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain landscapes, with resorts spread across coastal and island locations.
Red Sea Global, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is also involved in developing the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International Airport facilitates access to resorts throughout The Red Sea development. daa International manages the airport, and travelers can continue their journey by electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane from the terminal. The airport operates on renewable energy for its airside functions, including essential lighting and navigation systems for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad expands to six destinations within Saudi Arabia
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves emphasized that the new route offers quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea from Abu Dhabi. The airline plans to operate flights year-round, rather than seasonally. The increase from one to two weekly flights will begin three weeks after the initial launch. This route will also link Red Sea International with Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub and its wider international network.
The inaugural flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with ticket options already available from the airline. The twice-weekly flights will start on Oct. 25, operating with the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations across Saudi Arabia and include the Red Sea coast in its regional route network, providing a direct air connection between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.