Etihad Airways has announced the expansion of its Southeast Asia network with new routes to Medan, Indonesia, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This development is part of the airline's 2025 growth strategy, which includes nine new destinations and 21 more planned routes.
According to Etihad’s official newsroom, these new routes mark the first direct connections between the Gulf Cooperation Council and both Sumatra and Cambodia. The move underscores Etihad’s investment in underserved markets and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a major global hub. The expansion aligns with the airline’s "Beyond Borders" initiative aimed at enhancing cultural and economic connectivity between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Business Traveller reports that Etihad has added nine new destinations in 2025, including Boston, Nairobi, Lisbon, Medan, and Phnom Penh. This is part of an ongoing global expansion plan. The carrier plans to launch 21 more routes by the end of 2026, marking its strongest period of network growth since before the pandemic. These expansions are supported by new aircraft deliveries and strategic schedule optimization to improve hub connectivity at Abu Dhabi International Airport.