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Etihad Airways announces expansion with 29 new routes from Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways announces expansion with 29 new routes from Abu Dhabi
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Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Officer | Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways has announced the addition of 29 new and returning routes from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport as of September 29, 2025. The airline’s latest expansion follows a period described as "shrink to grow," during which it scaled back operations after significant financial losses.

The new routes are scheduled to begin at various points through 2026. The most recent destination announced is Palma de Mallorca. Other European cities on the list include Sochi, Prague, Warsaw, Kazan, Bucharest, Charlotte, and Kraków. In North America, Etihad will launch flights to Atlanta and Charlotte for the first time.

Several of these destinations are already served by other Middle Eastern carriers such as flydubai, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. However, Etihad will be the only Middle Eastern airline operating flights to Palma de Mallorca and Charlotte. According to the airline, the Charlotte route leverages its partnership with American Airlines: "The never-before-served link to North Carolina is premised, in part, on Etihad's partnership with American Airlines, where the oneworld member has 88% of the flights." The majority of passengers using this route are expected to connect to or from India.

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In Asia (excluding the Middle East), Etihad plans more additions than any other region. Cities such as Chiang Mai and Medan are not currently served by Emirates, Qatar Airways, flydubai or Turkish Airlines. Ten out of thirteen Asian city pairs will use narrowbody aircraft like the Airbus A321LR. Widebody jets will operate only on flights to Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Taipei.

Some routes mark a return for Etihad after previous service was suspended—for example: Almaty (until 2016), Baku (until 2020), Hong Kong (until 2020), Peshawar (until 2014), Yerevan (until 2015). Several markets have opened due to competitors ceasing service; for instance, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi no longer flies to Almaty, Baku or Yerevan.

In Africa and across the Middle East, seven additional destinations include Addis Ababa, Algiers, Damascus (last served in 2012), El Alamein, Medinah (last served in 2023), Salalah (last served in 2019) and Tunis. Narrowbody aircraft will operate all seven routes.

Overall, narrowbody jets will serve approximately three-quarters of these new destinations—a reflection of their growing importance even for Gulf airlines expanding internationally.

Etihad’s growth comes alongside an updated fleet that includes new Airbus A321LRs intended for both short- and medium-haul services.

Organizations Included in this History
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