Etihad Airways Adds 7 New Destinations to Boost Abu Dhabi

Photo: WAM

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a major update to its global flight network. As part of its long-term plan to make Abu Dhabi an even stronger international hub for travel, business, and tourism, the airline is adding seven new cities to its list of destinations. This expansion shows Etihad's ongoing commitment to connecting the UAE's capital to more parts of the world.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

The newly announced destinations include:

• Almaty, Kazakhstan

• Baku, Azerbaijan

• Bucharest, Romania

• Medina, Saudi Arabia

• Tbilisi, Georgia

• Tashkent, Uzbekistan

• Yerevan, Armenia

These new routes will become available for booking over the next few days. Passengers will be able to fly to most of these cities starting in March 2026, while flights to Medina will start earlier, in November 2025.

A Big Step Forward for Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways has made it clear that the purpose of these new routes is to attract more direct traffic into Abu Dhabi. This means they want people from around the world to fly straight to the UAE’s capital, instead of passing through other countries first.

By opening direct flights to countries in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, the airline is creating a stronger link between Abu Dhabi and regions that are rich in culture and fast-growing in terms of trade and tourism. This move is expected to bring more visitors, more business opportunities, and stronger global connections.

Etihad's CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, explained the airline’s vision clearly: “Our goal is clear, we want to bring more people directly to Abu Dhabi. These new routes connect us to fast-growing, culturally rich regions and will help stimulate demand for tourism and trade in the UAE’s capital.”

Understanding the Importance of These New Cities

Let’s take a closer look at each of the new destinations and why they matter:

1. Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty is Kazakhstan’s largest city and a key financial center in Central Asia. It is also a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful mountains and ski resorts. With this route, Etihad can bring more tourists and business travelers from Central Asia into Abu Dhabi.

2. Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is known for its mix of ancient history and modern architecture. It sits on the Caspian Sea and is famous for oil exports, trade, and tourism. Direct flights from Baku to Abu Dhabi will boost tourism and open the doors for stronger business ties.

3. Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the capital of Romania and one of Eastern Europe’s largest cities. It has a growing tech industry, historic sites, and a strong tourism market. Direct flights will help attract European travelers and make Abu Dhabi more accessible from this part of the continent.

4. Medina, Saudi Arabia

Medina is one of the holiest cities in Islam. Many pilgrims visit Medina every year, especially during religious seasons like Hajj and Ramadan. With a direct route starting in November 2025, Etihad is making it easier for religious travelers to reach Abu Dhabi or pass through to other destinations.

5. Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and a popular tourist spot due to its scenic beauty, ancient churches, and warm hospitality. This new route opens a gateway for more tourists from Georgia to visit the UAE and experience Abu Dhabi.

6. Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Tashkent is Uzbekistan’s capital and a key city on the historic Silk Road. It has rich culture and growing interest among international tourists. This connection gives travelers from Uzbekistan more access to the Middle East and beyond.

7. Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia and is full of cultural and historical heritage. The city is attracting more global attention due to its architecture, food, and art. Direct flights between Yerevan and Abu Dhabi will benefit both tourism and business.

More than Just These Seven Cities

These newly announced flights bring the total number of new destinations in 2025 to 27, which includes both year-round services and seasonal routes. This means Etihad has been steadily expanding throughout the year and is not slowing down.

While the airline didn’t list all 27 destinations in this announcement, the earlier additions reflect a clear goal: to make Abu Dhabi a top choice for travelers worldwide, whether for tourism, religion, trade, or business.

Etihad’s plan is not just about flying to new cities — it’s also about building stronger bridges between cultures and economies, allowing people from all over the world to discover the UAE and all it has to offer.

When Do the Flights Start?

Etihad has said that flight tickets to these new cities will go on sale in the next few days, meaning travelers can start booking very soon.

Here’s when the flights are scheduled to begin:

• Medina, Saudi Arabia: Flights begin in November 2025

• All other destinations: Flights begin in March 2026

Travelers planning trips to or from these cities should keep an eye on Etihad’s website or talk to travel agents to get the best deals as soon as tickets are released.

Why This Matters for the UAE

Abu Dhabi is already known as a modern and fast-growing city. It has luxury hotels, top museums like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, world-class shopping malls, and famous events like Formula 1. However, for Abu Dhabi to truly become a global hub, it needs more direct international connections — and that’s exactly what Etihad is working on.

This move helps:

• Increase tourism numbers

• Make trade and business travel easier

• Create new job opportunities in travel and tourism

• Give people in new regions easier access to the UAE

The UAE government also supports these efforts, as they align with the country’s wider goals to become a leading global destination by growing both tourism and economic ties with other countries.

What’s Next for Etihad?

With these seven new cities and a total of 27 new destinations in 2025, Etihad Airways is moving fast. The airline has been modernizing its fleet, offering more comfortable experiences, and investing in technology to improve customer service.

The airline might announce even more destinations later in the year or early next year. Etihad is clearly focused on growing smartly by choosing locations that matter — both to the UAE and to travelers around the world.

Etihad Airways is adding seven new cities to its route map:

• Almaty

• Baku

• Bucharest

• Medina

• Tbilisi

• Tashkent

• Yerevan

Flights to Medina will begin in November 2025, and the rest will start in March 2026. The goal is to bring more people directly into Abu Dhabi, making it a major hub for travel, culture, and business.

This is part of a larger plan by Etihad to expand its global presence and help Abu Dhabi grow as a top international city. With 27 new routes announced in 2025 alone, Etihad is clearly ready to take off into a bigger future.