Etihad Airways has entered its largest summer season on record, operating more than 300 daily flights, expanding capacity across its network and launching a series of new and returning destinations as travel demand continues to strengthen.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier says it is carrying near-record passenger volumes, with flights operating at close to 90% load factors. The growth is supported by a fleet that has expanded by 23 aircraft compared with the same period last year, helping the airline increase summer capacity by 10% year-on-year.
The latest expansion highlights Etihad’s continued growth strategy as it strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation hub connecting Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East.
Four New Routes In Four Days
Between June 11 and June 14, Etihad launched four new destinations in rapid succession, adding Kraków in Poland, Palma de Mallorca in Spain, Damascus in Syria and Zanzibar in Tanzania to its network.
The new services further diversify the airline’s offering, ranging from European cultural and leisure destinations to regional and Indian Ocean markets.
Kraków provides access to one of Central Europe’s most historic cities, while Palma de Mallorca establishes a direct link between Abu Dhabi and Spain’s Balearic Islands. Damascus strengthens regional connectivity, and Zanzibar adds another high-profile leisure destination to Etihad’s growing portfolio.
Seasonal Routes Return For Summer
Alongside the new routes, Etihad is also bringing back five popular seasonal services for the summer travel period.
Mykonos and Malaga returned on June 15, followed by Santorini on June 16 and Nice on June 19. Services to Egypt’s Mediterranean resort destination of Al Alamein will resume on July 16.
The seasonal additions are designed to capture strong demand for leisure travel across Europe and the Mediterranean during the peak summer months.
- Mykonos – twice weekly from June 15
- Malaga – up to four times weekly from June 15
- Santorini – twice weekly from June 16
- Nice – twice weekly from June 19
- Al Alamein – twice weekly from July 16
More Visitors To Abu Dhabi
Etihad’s expansion is closely aligned with Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth strategy, which aims to attract increasing numbers of international visitors to the emirate.
To support this objective, Etihad and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have introduced complimentary medical travel insurance for eligible international travellers flying on Etihad-operated services.
Available between July and December 2026, the programme provides up to 15 days of medical coverage in the UAE and includes passengers using Etihad’s stopover programme, which encourages travellers to spend time in Abu Dhabi during transit.
Record Summer For The Airline
Etihad Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said the airline is carrying more passengers to more destinations than at any point in its history.
“Today, Etihad is flying more guests to more destinations than ever before. We are operating more than 300 flights a day, carrying near-record loads and connecting Abu Dhabi with more destinations than ever before,” he said.
Neves added that the airline’s latest route launches and returning seasonal services reflect both strong market demand and the pace of Etihad’s expansion.
With nine destinations added or restored within weeks, a larger fleet and growing passenger numbers, Etihad is entering what it describes as its most ambitious summer programme yet, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a major international gateway and one of the fastest-growing aviation hubs in the region.
