ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – Etihad Airways is set to introduce flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport on Oct. 4, 2026, marking the start of a year-round service. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly services from Oct. 25. This new route will establish Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination within Etihad’s route network, enhancing direct connectivity between the UAE capital and Saudi Arabia.
The airline plans to operate the route using an Airbus A320, 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 is expected to take just over three hours. Bookings are already open, allowing travelers from across Etihad’s network to connect through Zayed International Airport en route to the Saudi Red Sea coast.
Currently, Etihad serves multiple cities in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim. The addition of Red Sea International will expand this network to include a destination known for coastal and resort tourism. Throughout the year, passengers also travel to Saudi Arabia for business, family visits, or religious purposes. The airline notes that travelers from Gulf markets and the Indian subcontinent can reach the new destination with a single connection via Abu Dhabi.
Red Sea International broadens regional air connectivity
Since beginning domestic operations in September 2023, Red Sea International Airport welcomed its first international flight in April 2024, followed by a direct route to Doha introduced in October 2025. Developed by Red Sea Global, the airport serves as the gateway to the Red Sea tourism region along Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast, featuring islands, coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, and mountainous landscapes, with resorts located on coastal and island sites.
Red Sea Global, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, also oversees the development of the AMAALA tourism project. The company states that Red Sea International supports access to resorts across the Red Sea development. daa International manages airport operations, and travelers can continue their journey via electric vehicle, boat, or seaplane. The airport itself employs renewable energy sources for airside operations, including lighting and navigation systems essential for arriving and departing aircraft.
Etihad Adds Its Sixth Saudi Destination
Etihad Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves highlighted that the new route provides quick access from Abu Dhabi to the islands and reefs of the Red Sea. The airline has committed to year-round service instead of a seasonal operation. The planned increase from one to two weekly flights will occur three weeks after the initial launch, connecting Red Sea International with Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub and its extensive global network.
The inaugural flight to Red Sea International is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2026, with reservations already available. The twice-weekly service will begin on Oct. 25, utilizing the same Airbus A320 configuration. With this launch, Etihad will serve six destinations across Saudi Arabia, adding the Red Sea coast to its regional coverage. The new route will create a direct air link between Abu Dhabi and one of Saudi Arabia’s newest international airports.