ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways plans to initiate nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one service per week, with plans to increase frequency to two flights weekly starting from Oct. 25. This new route will make Red Sea International the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s route network and introduce another direct flight from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia.
An Airbus A320 will be used for the route, configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Each scheduled flight will have a total of 158 seats. The journey between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International is expected to last just over three hours. Bookings for the new service are already available, enabling passengers from across Etihad’s network to connect via Zayed International Airport to reach the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad services include Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia. The addition of Red Sea International broadens this network to include a destination known for its coastal and resort appeal. Throughout the year, the airline also transports passengers for business, family, and religious purposes traveling to Saudi Arabia. Customers from markets such as the Gulf and Indian subcontinent can connect to the new destination with a single transfer through Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional air connectivity
Red Sea International Airport, which commenced domestic flights in September 2023, welcomed its first international service in April 2024. A direct route to Doha was added in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the gateway for tourists heading to The Red Sea, a Saudi Arabian coastal resort region. This area features islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountainous terrain, with resorts located along the coast and on islands.
Red Sea Global, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is also responsible for the development of AMAALA, another prominent tourism destination. The company emphasizes that Red Sea International supports resort access within The Red Sea project. daa International operates the airport, where travelers can continue their journey via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. The airport’s operations incorporate renewable energy sources, powering airside functions such as lighting and navigation systems for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad expands its Saudi network with sixth destination
According to Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves, the new route provides travelers with quick access to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea, just a short flight from Abu Dhabi. The airline has committed to year-round service rather than seasonal operations. The planned increase from one to two weekly flights will take effect three weeks after the initial service begins. This route will also link Red Sea International with Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi and its global network.
The inaugural flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with tickets already available through the airline. The twice-weekly service will commence on Oct. 25, utilizing the same Airbus A320 aircraft configuration. With this addition, Etihad will serve six destinations within Saudi Arabia and include the Red Sea coast in its regional route map. The new service offers a direct connection between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.