Etihad launches flights to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast

Etihad Airways will begin year‑round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast via Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province on 4 October 2026, the carrier announced. The new service will be a one‑stop connection for guests across Etihad’s global network, putting the kingdom’s islands, reefs and coastal resorts just over three hours flying time from Abu Dhabi. The route will initially operate once weekly and increase to twice weekly from 25 October 2026.

“The kind of holiday people normally take a long‑haul flight for – islands, reefs and relaxation – is now a short flight from Abu Dhabi and a single connection from anywhere across our network,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways.

Route details and network context

The new Red Sea service becomes Etihad’s sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, joining Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Al Qassim. Flights will operate to Red Sea International Airport, located in Tabuk Province, which serves the rapidly developing Red Sea tourism corridor. Etihad will offer the connection from Abu Dhabi, enabling passengers across the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent to reach Saudi islands and reefs with a single transfer.

• Launch date: 4 October 2026 — one weekly service.
• Frequency increase: Twice weekly from 25 October 2026.
• Airport: Red Sea International Airport, Tabuk Province.
• Positioning: Etihad’s sixth Saudi destination, alongside Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina and Al Qassim.

The announcement emphasises leisure demand for short‑haul island and reef holidays that previously required long‑haul travel. By routing services through Abu Dhabi, Etihad aims to leverage its existing hub to provide convenient connections for travellers across its network. The carrier did not disclose aircraft type or exact schedules in the initial release, but the phased frequency rise suggests a cautious ramp‑up tied to early seasonal travel demand.

Commercial and regional implications

Opening the Red Sea route strengthens Etihad’s footprint in Saudi Arabia, where it already serves five cities. The Red Sea project has been a focal point for tourism development in Tabuk Province, and the airport was built to serve growing international leisure traffic to islands and coastal resorts along the western Saudi coastline.

For travellers in the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent, Etihad’s one‑stop proposition through Abu Dhabi reduces journey time and complexity compared with longer‑haul itineraries. The airline’s CEO framed the route as an opportunity to transform what is commonly considered a long‑haul holiday into a short, regionally accessible break: “The kind of holiday people normally take a long‑haul flight for – islands, reefs and relaxation – is now a short flight from Abu Dhabi…”

Outlook

Etihad’s phased approach — launching a weekly service then expanding to twice weekly within three weeks — indicates the carrier will monitor early demand before committing further capacity. If load factors and onward connectivity perform as expected, Etihad may increase frequencies or deploy larger aircraft to capture leisure traffic between the Gulf, the Indian subcontinent and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea resorts. The route also underscores growing aviation links between the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s emerging tourist hubs, as airlines recalibrate networks to serve leisure‑driven travel flows.