- Flights begin on 4 October 2026, operating every Sunday and available for booking now
- A second weekly flight is added on Thursdays from 25 October 2026, with the route flown year-round by an Airbus A320
- Etihad’s direct service places the Saudi Red Sea coast a little over three hours from the UAE capital
The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia – 10 September 2026: Red Sea International Airport (RSI), operated by daa International, is expanding its connectivity across the GCC through a new operation with Etihad Airways.
Etihad will fly from Zayed International Airport (AUH) every Sunday from 4 October 2026 before adding a second weekly service on Thursdays from 25 October 2026. The route will be operated by an Airbus A320 and will stay in the schedule year-round.
Flight timings will be as follows:
• Zayed International Airport (AUH) → Red Sea International Airport (RSI): Departure 09:55, Arrival 12:05
• Red Sea International Airport (RSI) → Zayed International Airport (AUH): Departure 14:00, Arrival 18:05
Michael White, Chief Commercial Officer of Red Sea International Airport, said: “Red Sea International Airport is the front door to The Red Sea coast, home to two of the world’s most ambitious new destinations, The Red Sea and AMAALA. Etihad’s twice-weekly service from Abu Dhabi opens the region to guests from across the UAE and far beyond. We cannot wait to welcome them through our doors.”
Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “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.
We are always looking ahead to where our guests will want to travel next and making sure we are there early. The Red Sea is exactly that kind of destination, and it is an easy one to reach: the holiday starts on the day guests arrive, not the day after.”
Red Sea International Airport currently handles around 20 domestic and international flights a week, serving Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Doha and Milan. This network has been built with the support of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, working alongside the airport’s operator, daa International. The Red Sea destination has 11 resorts open, among them Six Senses Southern Dunes, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and Four Seasons Resort and Residences, with a further six opening 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. With more airlines and routes to follow, the airport is preparing to serve one million guests a year by 2030.
Flights are available to book now here.
About Red Sea International Airport
Red Sea International Airport (RSI) forms part of The Red Sea, a luxury regenerative tourism destination developed by Red Sea Global (RSG). Located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, The Red Sea is designed to set new standards in sustainable tourism, blending environmental stewardship with world-class hospitality.
Located ninety (90) kilometres south of Al Wajh, RSI is a two million passenger capacity airport situated within eight (8) hours’ flying time of 85% of the world’s population. It serves as the primary gateway for both domestic and international flights, connecting travellers to The Red Sea destination. Inspired by forms of the desert, the green oasis and the sea, RSI was designed by Foster + Partners and Jacobs. RSI is operated by daa International, a leading global airport management, consultancy and investment company.
For more information about Red Sea International Airport, please visit: www.rsiairport.sa
About daa International
daa International is a leading global airport management, consultancy and investment company and part of the wider daa Group, headquartered in Dublin. With a presence in over 30 locations across 15 countries, daa International has a global reach spanning from Australia to North America, including in Saudi Arabia where in addition to operating the Red Sea International Airport, the company has a significant presence in both King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh. Drawing on 85 years’ award-winning airport experience from across the daa Group, daa International delivers value and knowledge transfer to clients, and a world class airport experience for passengers and guests across its airport portfolio.
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