ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to commence year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate once weekly, increasing to twice weekly from Oct. 25. This new route will make Red Sea International the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network, further expanding direct connections from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
The airline will deploy an Airbus A320 on this route, configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats, totaling 158 seats per scheduled flight. The journey between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International will take just over three hours. Bookings are already open, enabling passengers in Etihad’s broader network to connect via Zayed International Airport to the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad’s Saudi network includes Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim. The addition of Red Sea International will extend the airline’s coverage to a coastal and resort-focused destination. Throughout the year, passengers also fly to Saudi Arabia for business, family visits, or religious purposes. The airline highlighted that travelers from Gulf and Indian subcontinent markets can reach the new destination via a single connection at Abu Dhabi.
Regional Connectivity Grows with Red Sea International
Since beginning domestic operations in September 2023, Red Sea International Airport welcomed its first international flight in April 2024. Later, in October 2025, it introduced a direct service to Doha. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the gateway to The Red Sea tourism region located on Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast. This area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountainous terrains, with resorts spread across coastal and island locations.
A subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Red Sea Global also manages the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International supports access to resorts within The Red Sea development. daa International operates the airport, with travelers able to continue their journey via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane from the terminal. The airport’s operations are powered by renewable energy, including lighting and navigation systems vital for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad Expands to a Sixth Saudi City
According to Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the new route offers travelers a quick flight from Abu Dhabi to explore the Red Sea’s islands and reefs. Unlike seasonal services, this route will operate throughout the entire year. The airline plans to increase the frequency from one to two weekly flights three weeks after launching the service. Additionally, the route will link Red Sea International directly with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its extensive international network.
The inaugural Etihad flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with bookings already available. Starting on Oct. 25, the twice-weekly service will operate using the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six Saudi destinations and incorporate the Red Sea coast into its regional route map. The new service provides a direct aerial connection between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.