Abu Dhabi’s national airline launches direct flights to Saudi Red Sea coast

Etihad Airways has launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, establishing a new year-round connection to one of the kingdom’s emerging tourism destinations.

The airline’s inaugural Airbus A320 flight from Zayed International Airport landed at Red Sea International Airport at 12:05pm on Sunday, October 4, marking the start of scheduled services between the two destinations.

The route will initially operate once a week on Sundays before increasing to two weekly services, operating on Thursdays and Sundays, from October 25.

The flight takes approximately three hours and 10 minutes, providing travellers from the UAE with direct access to the Red Sea coast while also connecting the destination to passengers travelling through Etihad Airways’ international network.

 

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The inaugural service was welcomed by representatives from Red Sea International Airport, Red Sea Global and the Saudi Air Connectivity Programme. The airport, operated by daa International, is being developed as a gateway to major tourism projects along Saudi Arabia’s north-western coastline.

Michael White, chief commercial officer at Red Sea International Airport, said the new service would strengthen the airport’s international connectivity.

“This new connection brings The Red Sea closer to travellers from the UAE and, through Abu Dhabi, guests from across Etihad’s global network,” he said.

For Etihad, the launch marks its sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, further expanding the airline’s presence in one of its key regional markets.

Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, said the new route would make it easier for travellers to reach the Red Sea’s islands, coral reefs and resorts.

 

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“As our sixth destination in Saudi Arabia, The Red Sea adds a true holiday destination to one of our most important markets,” he said.

Etihad announced the route in September as part of an expansion of its Saudi Arabian network. The airline said the service would operate year-round.

Red Sea International Airport currently provides connections to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha and Milan. It serves as an access point for major tourism developments including The Red Sea and AMAALA and has capacity to handle approximately one million passengers annually.

Source: Gulf News