Etihad Airways launches record summer schedule with 300+ daily flights and new routes
Etihad Airways boosts summer capacity with 300+ daily flights, 10% year‑on‑year capacity growth and new routes, while offering free medical cover for visitors to Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways has rolled out its largest-ever summer programme, operating more than 300 flights a day from Abu Dhabi as it expands capacity and route options for the peak travel season. The carrier reported a 10 percent year‑on‑year increase in seat capacity supported by a fleet that is 23 aircraft larger than at the same time last year. With average load factors approaching 90 percent, the airline says demand is strong across its global network.
Network scale-up: more than 300 daily flights from Abu Dhabi
Etihad’s summer schedule marks a significant step-up in operations from its Abu Dhabi hub, connecting the capital to an expanded set of destinations in Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East. The airline is operating record frequencies to major markets and increasing transfer options for passengers transiting through the UAE. Management framed the expansion as part of a strategic push to attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi during the tourism high season.
New routes launched between June 11 and June 14
Between June 11 and June 14, Etihad inaugurated four new services linking Abu Dhabi to Kraków, Palma de Mallorca, Damascus and Zanzibar. The launches broaden the airline’s European and regional footprint and introduce seasonal leisure links to Mediterranean and East African leisure markets. Company statements say these additions were timed to capture summer holiday demand and to provide new options for both inbound tourism and outbound travel from the UAE.
Five seasonal destinations return in mid‑June and July
Etihad has reintroduced five popular seasonal routes to align with summer travel patterns, with Mykonos and Málaga restarting on June 15, Santorini recommencing on June 16, and Nice resuming service on June 19. The carrier also plans to restore the seasonal service to El Alamein from July 16. These restorations aim to meet demand for short‑haul leisure travel and to offer direct connections for visitors seeking beach and cultural destinations.
Fleet growth and increased capacity underpin summer programme
The airline’s capacity increase of 10 percent year‑on‑year is underpinned by a net gain of 23 aircraft compared with the same period last year. Etihad’s fleet expansion has enabled higher frequencies and new route launches without materially reducing existing services. Executives emphasised that the larger fleet provides flexibility to match seasonal demand while maintaining operational resilience across markets.
Strong load factors and market demand drive expansion
Etihad is reporting load factors near 90 percent on many services, evidence of robust demand across its network as global travel rebounds. The high utilisation has encouraged the airline to prioritise routes and frequencies that feed Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Company leadership described the results as validation of network strategy and said the airline will continue to monitor market dynamics as the summer progresses.
Free medical cover for international visitors arriving with Etihad
To support inbound demand and simplify travel to Abu Dhabi, Etihad has partnered with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism to offer free medical insurance to qualifying international passengers flying with the carrier. The scheme, available from July through December 2026 and administered by the National Insurance Company – Dhaman, provides up to 15 days of medical coverage in the UAE. The initiative also applies to passengers using Etihad’s stopover programme, which converts transit stays into short holidays and has attracted increasing numbers of visitors to the capital.
Etihad’s chief executive highlighted the combination of fleet growth, network expansion and targeted visitor support measures as key to the airline’s summer strategy. He said the carrier is transporting more guests to more destinations than ever while aiming to make Abu Dhabi a convenient and attractive gateway for global travellers.
The summer roll‑out positions Etihad Airways as a central contributor to Abu Dhabi’s tourism push for 2026, with the airline and local authorities coordinating on services and visitor initiatives designed to capture peak‑season travel. As the programme proceeds, carriers, tourism bodies and hospitality operators will be watching load factors and booking trends for indications of how sustained the recovery in international leisure travel will be beyond the summer months.