Etihad enters its biggest summer ever with 10% more capacity | News
Etihad Airways is entering its biggest ever summer season, operating more than 300 daily flights, carrying near-record numbers of passengers and launching or returning to nine destinations within days, as demand for travel to, from and via Abu Dhabi continues to increase.
This milestone comes as Etihad continues its rapid growth trajectory, with summer capacity up 10% year-on-year and supported by a fleet that has grown by 23 aircraft compared to the same period last year. With flights at nearly 90% occupancy, the airline is seeing strong demand across its network in Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East.
Between June 11 and 14, Etihad launched four new routes in four days, connecting Abu Dhabi with Krakow, Palma de Mallorca, Damascus and Zanzibar. This week the airline also welcomes the return of five popular seasonal destinations: Mykonos and Malaga from June 15, Santorini from June 16, Nice from June 19 and Al Alamein from July 16.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Today, Etihad is flying more guests to more destinations than ever before. We operate more than 300 flights a day, carrying near-record loads and connecting Abu Dhabi to more destinations than ever before.
“This week alone we launched four new destinations and welcomed five seasonal routes, demonstrating both the strength of demand in our network and the pace of our growth.
“As we enter the peak summer travel period, we are delivering our most ambitious summer program yet. Supported by 23 additional aircraft and strong demand from around the world, we continue to confidently grow, expand our network, increase capacity and bring more visitors to Abu Dhabi.”
To support growing visitor demand and make travel to Abu Dhabi even smoother, Etihad and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have also launched free travel medical insurance for international visitors flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad-operated flights. The initiative, available from July to December 2026 and managed by The National Insurance Company – Daman, offers eligible travelers up to 15 days of medical cover in the UAE, including guests using Etihad’s layover programme, which is increasingly attracting visitors to Abu Dhabi by turning a transit into a holiday.
The four recently launched routes demonstrate the breadth of Etihad’s growing network. Krakow offers travelers access to one of Europe’s greatest cultural cities, while Palma de Mallorca creates a direct link between Abu Dhabi and the Balearic Islands. Damascus strengthens connectivity across the region, while Zanzibar adds one of the most sought-after leisure destinations in the Indian Ocean to the airline’s portfolio.
Etihad’s latest route launches are part of the airline’s ambition to expand its global footprint, aligning growth with demand in key markets. The additions strengthen connectivity between Abu Dhabi and strategic destinations across Europe, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, strengthening the capital’s role as a dynamic global gateway.
More summer escapes return:
To give travelers more ways to discover iconic coastlines and island getaways, Etihad is also bringing back a collection of summer favorites:
Mykonos – twice a week from June 15
Malaga – from June 15 a maximum of four times a week
Santorini – twice a week from June 16
Nice – twice a week from June 19
Al Alamein – twice a week from July 16
Together with Krakow, Palma de Mallorca, Damascus and Zanzibar, these destinations are part of Etihad’s largest ever summer programme, giving guests more choice than ever before across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
