• Inaugural Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi marks the launch of a new year-round connection to Red Sea International Airport
  • Service begins weekly before increasing to twice weekly from 25 October 2026
  • New route places the Saudi Red Sea coast a little over three hours from the UAE capital

The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, 5 October 2026: Red Sea International Airport (RSI), operated by daa International, has welcomed the inaugural Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi on 4 October 2026, marking the launch of the airline's new year-round service between Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Red Sea International Airport (RSI).

The Etihad Airways Airbus A320 touched down at Red Sea International Airport at 12:05pm, where it was welcomed with a ceremonial airport fire fleet escort. Representatives from Red Sea International Airport (RSI), Red Sea Global (RSG), and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) greeted the Etihad delegation upon arrival, extending the warm Saudi hospitality that Red Sea International Airport (RSI) is known for at the airport's unique Welcome Center.

The service will initially operate every Sunday, with a second weekly flight added on Thursdays from 25 October 2026. The direct connection places The Red Sea destination a little over three hours from Abu Dhabi, while providing access to the destination for travellers connecting through Etihad Airways' wider network.

Michael White, Chief Commercial Officer of Red Sea International Airport, said: "Welcoming Etihad Airways to Red Sea International Airport for the first time is an important milestone for RSI and another step forward in the continued growth of our international network. This new connection brings The Red Sea closer to travellers from the UAE and, through Abu Dhabi, guests from across Etihad's global network. We are delighted to welcome Etihad and its passengers to RSI and look forward to building on this partnership."

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: "Islands, reefs and seclusion are the kind of holiday people usually cross continents for. From today, they are just over three hours from Abu Dhabi and a single connection away for guests across our network. As our sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, The Red Sea adds a true holiday destination to one of our most important markets, and we are delighted to welcome our first guests to this remarkable destination."

The inaugural service further expands RSI's domestic and international network, which currently connects The Red Sea destination with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha and Milan. The network has been developed with the support of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, working alongside daa International.

RSI provides access to The Red Sea and AMAALA, two of Saudi Arabia's major new tourism destinations. The Red Sea currently has 11 resorts open, with seven that opened at AMAALA this year including Equinox Resort, Jayasom Wellness Resort and Four Seasons Resort and Residences. A further eight resorts are due to open across the two destinations in the coming months.

Located 90 kilometres south of Al Wajh, RSI is within three hours' flying time of 250 million people and within eight hours of 85% of the world's population. The airport has the capacity to serve one million guests annually.