UAE: Etihad Airways announced 7 new routes including Madina and Baku, launched on November 2025. world News

TL; Dr:
Etihad Airways Starting from November 2025 is launching seven new destinations including Madina and Baku.- These routes are part of a comprehensive strategy to promote the status of Abu Dhabi as a global journey hub.
- Abu Dhabi expands between the exit of the Vij Air, which opens the opportunity for Etihad.
Etihad Airways is expanding its network with seven new destinations: Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tabilisi, Tashkant and Yerevan. The move aims to increase the status of Abu Dhabi as a global journey hub. The new routes will soon be available for booking, with services starting in March 2026, except Madina, which begins in November 2025.
Strategic expansion for major destinations:
- Medina, Saudi Arabia: An important addition, Medina provides religious tourism opportunities, which complements the existing services of Etihad into Mecca.
- Baku, Azerbaijan: The growing tourist region of Baku and cultural heritage make it an attractive destination for travelers.
- Almaty, Kazakhstan: Almaty serves as the entrance to Central Asia, appealing to both businesses and holiday passengers.
- Tashkent, uzbekistan: The rich history of the tashcuts and the emerging market capacity are the major factors in its selection.
- Yerevan, Armenia: Jerevan’s unique cultural offerings and closeness to Europe enhances its appeal.
- Bucharest, Romania: Bucharest is a growing center for trade and tourism in Eastern Europe.
- Tibilisi, georgia: The scenic landscape and historical sites of Tibilisi attract a diverse range of visitors.
Strengthen the global status of Abu Dhabi
These new routes are part of Etihad’s strategy to increase point-to-point traffic through Abu Dhabi. The purpose of expansion is to increase the role of the city in tourism, culture and commerce. In a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoldo Neo said,,Our goal is clear, we want to bring more people directly into Abu Dhabi. These new routes connect us to rapidly growing, culturally rich areas and will help encourage the demand for tourism and trade in the UAE capital.,
Wizz AIR departure
Vij Air has planned to stop flying from Abu Dhabi by September 2025. The airline faced issues such as political stress and difficulties in running its services smoothly. With the departure of Vij Air, Etihad has a chance to expand its flights and provide more travel options to travelers who want reliable connections through Abu Dhabi.
questions to ask
- 1. When will new routes be available for booking?
Booking for new destinations will open in the coming days, with services in March 2026, except Madina, which begins in November 2025.
- 2. How will these new routes affect the passengers?
Passengers will benefit from increased connectivity for culturally rich and emerging destinations, increasing travel options and convenience.
- 3. What happened to the wiz Air exiting Abu Dhabi?
Wizz Air cited geo -political instability, supply chain issues and limited market access as reasons to prevent operation in Abu Dhabi.