Etihad Adds 7 New Destinations in Asia and Europe

ABU DHABI— Etihad Airways (EY), the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled seven new destinations to boost point-to-point connectivity into Abu Dhabi (AUH).

The newly announced routes—set to begin service between November 2025 and March 2026—will connect Abu Dhabi to cities across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, enhancing the airline’s global reach.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Etihad Airways, A6-AED, Airbus A321-232, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87250114

Etihad Adds 7 New Destinations

Etihad Airways (EY) has announced an expansion of its global network with seven new cities added to its route map: Almaty (ALA), Baku (GYD), Bucharest (OTP), Medina (MED), Tbilisi (TBS), Tashkent (TAS), and Yerevan (EVN).

These additions form part of Etihad’s strategic plan to attract more direct traffic into Abu Dhabi (AUH), aligning with its vision to develop the city as a premier destination for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.

The airline confirmed that flights will go on sale in the coming days, with services launching in phases from November 2025 to March 2026.

Notably, the Medina (MED) route will commence operations earlier than the rest, starting on 9 November 2025 with six weekly flights.

The remaining cities will follow beginning March 2026, with Baku and Yerevan each receiving ten weekly services, reflecting strong demand projections.

With these additions, Etihad will have launched or announced 27 new routes in 2025, reinforcing its renewed commitment to expansive yet targeted growth.

CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasized the airline’s goal to connect Abu Dhabi with dynamic, high-growth cities across diverse regions. He stated that the new destinations not only attract leisure and religious travelers but also support trade and cultural exchange.

Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Route Details and Start Dates

These new services will offer travelers seamless access to historically rich cities, spiritual centers, and cultural capitals. The network additions also support Etihad’s goal of increasing inbound tourism and positioning Abu Dhabi (AUH) as a key regional transit and destination hub.

Photo: Etihad Airways

Destination Highlights

• Medina (MED): A sacred city in Saudi Arabia, attracting pilgrims year-round, home to the Prophet’s Mosque.
• Bucharest (OTP): Romania’s energetic capital offers architecture, history, and a vibrant arts scene.
• Tbilisi (TBS): Georgia’s capital, known for its historic old town, sulfur baths, and cultural fusion.
• Yerevan (EVN): One of the world’s oldest cities, rich in Armenian heritage and known for its mountain vistas.
• Baku (GYD): Azerbaijan’s coastal capital, fusing ancient sites with ultramodern architecture.
• Almaty (ALA): Kazakhstan’s financial hub, surrounded by mountains and offering alpine and urban experiences.
• Tashkent (TAS): Uzbekistan’s capital blends Islamic heritage with post-Soviet modernism.

Photo: Etihad

Building Momentum in 2025 and Beyond

Etihad Airways’ 2025 expansion marks one of the airline’s most aggressive growth phases. With 27 new routes either launched or scheduled within the year—including earlier additions like Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, and Atlanta (ATL)—the carrier is cementing its ambition to diversify its network.

In addition, Etihad recently unveiled three new seasonal summer routes for 2026: Kraków (KRK), Salalah (SLL), and Kazan (KZN), further demonstrating its agile response to demand patterns.

The airline continues to offer world-class hospitality and efficient connectivity, aiming to make Abu Dhabi (AUH) a global destination of choice for both short visits and long-term stays.

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