ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to commence nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. The airline will initially operate one flight per week, increasing to twice weekly from Oct. 25. This new route will mark Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network and will enhance direct connectivity from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
An Airbus A320 will be used for the service, featuring eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Each scheduled flight will carry a total of 158 passengers. The duration of travel between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International is expected to be slightly over three hours. Bookings for the route are now open, enabling travelers from Etihad’s broader network to connect through Zayed International Airport en route to the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad operates flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim within Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International will expand its network to a destination that emphasizes coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also utilize Etihad to travel to Saudi Arabia for business, family, and religious reasons. The airline noted that travelers from Gulf countries and the Indian subcontinent can reach the new destination with just one connection at Abu Dhabi.
Regional air connectivity grows with Red Sea International
Red Sea International Airport started domestic flights in September 2023 and introduced its first international service in April 2024. It added a direct route to Doha in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the gateway to the Red Sea tourism destination on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast. This area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountain terrain, with resorts situated along coastal and island sites.
A subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Red Sea Global is also behind the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International facilitates access to various resorts across the Red Sea development. The airport is operated by daa International, and travelers can continue their journey via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane from the terminal. Red Sea Global emphasizes that the airport operates on renewable energy sources for airside functions, including lighting and navigation systems supporting arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad introduces its sixth Saudi destination
According to Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the new route offers quick access to the Red Sea’s islands and reefs within a short flight from Abu Dhabi. The airline is planning to operate the service year-round rather than seasonally. The scheduled increase from one to two flights weekly will occur three weeks after the initial service begins. This route will also link Red Sea International to Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub and its extensive international network.
The inaugural Etihad flight to Red Sea International remains scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with booking options already available. The twice-weekly service will start on Oct. 25, operated with the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and include the Red Sea coast in its regional offerings. The new route provides a direct air connection between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.