Etihad Airways to launch new Saudi Arabian route, 33% rise in weekly flights

by AvioBlog · 9 Aprile 2024

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Etihad Airways has announced the addition of a new route to Saudia Arabia.

In what will become the fourth Saudi Arabian destination Etihad Airways operates to, the carrier confirmed from June 24, 2024, it will fly to Al Qassim, a province in the Middle Eastern country.

Flights between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Al Qassim’s Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ) are scheduled to take off four times each week.

“Launching the new service to Al Qassim this year is not just about introducing a new destination; it’s also a celebration of Etihad’s 20 years of connecting Abu Dhabi with the rich culture and economic opportunities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said.

De added: “This move is aligned with our mission to deliver extraordinary experiences and the opportunity to explore the unique allure of both Abu Dhabi and our new destinations, like Al Qassim. We’re proud to expand our services within the Kingdom and look forward to welcoming passengers to experience our renowned hospitality and service.”

Al Qassim is known for its date palm groves, rich cultural heritage, and lively markets. The new route is designed to attract business travelers seeking new ventures and tourists.

Further expansion for Etihad Airways

Etihad also announced it was boosting service frequency to several key destinations from June 15, 2024, as well as the launch of a new route to Antalya in Turkey and a new operation to Jaipur in India from June 16, 2024, as previously announced.

From June the weekly flights to Thiruvananthapuram, India, and Amman, Jordan will be increased by three each, totaling 10 and 14 respectively.

There will also be three more flights a week to Cairo in Egypt (24), Karachi in Pakistan (17) and Colombo in Sri Lanka (20).

The latest expansion contributes to an overall 33% increase in Etihad’s total weekly flights, growing from 642 last summer to 855 in 2024 and extends the carrier’s reach from 65 to 76 destinations.