Etihad Airways Expands Its Network With New Flights To Madinah From Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways has recently started flights from Abu Dhabi to Madinah, enhancing its presence in Saudi Arabia. This new route caters to religious, business, and leisure travellers. The direct service links Abu Dhabi with Madinah, a city of great spiritual importance, facilitating travel for pilgrims and visitors year-round.

The addition of Madinah strengthens Etihad's operations in Saudi Arabia, positioning the airline as a key player in travel between the UAE and the Kingdom. With this launch, Etihad now operates 93 weekly flights to five Saudi cities. These include four daily flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, along with three weekly services to Al Qassim.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, stated that the introduction of the Madinah route underscores their dedication to enhancing connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. He remarked on Madinah's cultural and spiritual significance for millions globally. "We are honoured to provide convenient travel through Abu Dhabi to this culturally and spiritually important city," he said.

Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer at Etihad Airways, highlighted the benefits of this new route. He mentioned that it offers guests more flexibility when travelling via Abu Dhabi. This expansion aligns with Etihad's goal of establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading global aviation hub.

Etihad's growth strategy includes launching 31 new destinations within a year. In October alone, the airline began flights to Sumatra (Medan), Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, and Krabi. November saw new routes to Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Tunis.

The strategic location of Abu Dhabi allows passengers from Madinah smooth connections across Asia, Australia, and Europe via Etihad’s extensive network. Travellers can also enjoy an Abu Dhabi Stopover with two complimentary nights at top hotels in the city.

Cultural Attractions

Abu Dhabi offers a rich blend of culture and modern attractions. Visitors can explore landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or enjoy entertainment on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. Attractions include the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Team Labs Phenomena.

This expansion supports increasing demand from global travellers seeking seamless access to Saudi Arabia’s holy sites. The new route not only enhances religious travel but also provides greater choice for guests flying through Abu Dhabi.

The launch of flights to Madinah marks another step in Etihad's commitment to offering diverse travel options while reinforcing its role as a major facilitator of travel between East and West through Zayed International Airport.

With inputs from WAM