Etihad Airways has launched direct flights to Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia, opening a new route connecting Abu Dhabi with the kingdom’s emerging luxury tourism destination.
Etihad Airways has launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia, opening a new connection to the kingdom’s emerging luxury tourism destination.
The inaugural Airbus A320 service departed from Zayed International Airport and landed at Red Sea International Airport at 12.05 pm on Sunday, October 4, marking the start of scheduled operations on the route.
The service initially operates once a week on Sundays. From October 25, Etihad will increase the frequency to two flights a week, operating on Thursdays and Sundays. The journey takes approximately three hours and 10 minutes.
The year-round route will give UAE travellers direct access to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline while allowing visitors from other markets to connect through Etihad’s international network.
Etihad Expands Its Saudi Arabia Network
Red Sea International Airport welcomed the inaugural flight with representatives from the airport, Red Sea Global and the Saudi Air Connectivity Programme. Operated by Daa International, the airport serves as a gateway to major tourism developments along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast.
Michael White, chief commercial officer at Red Sea International Airport, said the new connection would expand the destination’s international reach.
The route brings the Red Sea closer to travellers from the UAE and gives visitors connecting through Abu Dhabi another way to reach the destination.
For Etihad, the launch adds a sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, strengthening its presence in a key regional market.
Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, said the route would make it easier for passengers to visit the Red Sea’s islands, coral reefs and secluded resorts.
He described the destination as a holiday-focused addition to the airline’s Saudi network.
Red Sea Airport Connects Major Tourism Projects
Red Sea International Airport supports access to the Red Sea and AMAALA tourism developments, two major projects in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand its tourism sector.
The airport already connects the destination with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha and Milan. It has the capacity to handle approximately one million passengers annually.
Etihad announced the new service in September as part of its broader expansion in Saudi Arabia. The additional connection is expected to make the Red Sea coast more accessible to travellers from the UAE and international visitors using Abu Dhabi as a transit hub.
With flights operating throughout the year and a second weekly service scheduled from October 25, the route adds another link between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia’s developing tourism market.
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The route initially operates once a week on Sundays and will increase to two services a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, from October 25.
Supplied/ Gulf News
