Etihad Airways and Riyadh Air Launch Major Expansion Out of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Restructure Gulf Air Connectivity in July 2026

Etihad Airways has expanded its summer schedule from Abu Dhabi, introducing five seasonal routes, doubling flights to Kabul, and restoring direct flights to Damascus. Concurrently, Riyadh Air is expanding direct services from Riyadh to Dubai and other international destinations, intensifying regional airline competition across the Middle East.

Etihad Airways Reconnects Damascus and Doubles Kabul Frequencies

[Abu Dhabi, July 15] — A significant expansion of Gulf air corridors is underway as Etihad Airways increases flight frequencies and Riyadh Air prepares to launch competitive international flights out of Riyadh and Dubai. Flight tracking systems show that Etihad Airways has restored direct flights connecting Abu Dhabi (AUH) with Damascus International Airport (DAM). This route has been relaunched after a multi-year absence to serve passenger segments, business travelers, and family travel.

Simultaneously, the carrier has doubled its scheduled services between Abu Dhabi and Kabul (KBL) starting July 15, 2026. The increase in flights to Kabul follows passenger traffic growth on the route since its initial launch, providing travelers with more flexible connection options through Abu Dhabi. In the European market, five seasonal summer destinations have returned to the airline's schedule, targeting leisure travel demand.

Flight & Airport Impact Breakdown

The key route developments, seasonal resumptions, and schedule parameters for the expanding Gulf network are detailed below:

Middle East & Central Asia Route Developments:
- Damascus (DAM) Route: Restored direct passenger services from Abu Dhabi, providing direct connectivity to Syria.
- Kabul (KBL) Route: Flight frequencies doubled starting July 15, 2026, to accommodate rising passenger volumes.
- Madinah (MED) Route: Enhanced scheduled services to Saudi Arabia under flight updates coordinated with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia.
Seasonal European & Mediterranean Routes Restored:
- Malaga, Spain (AGP): Direct summer services resumed on June 15, 2026.
- Mykonos, Greece (JMK): Summer passenger services restored on June 15, 2026.
- Santorini, Greece (JTR): Seasonal flights resumed on June 16, 2026.
- Nice, France (NCE): Direct services restored on June 19, 2026.
- Al Alamein, Egypt (DBB): Seasonal flights scheduled to return on July 16, 2026.

Passenger Rights & Advisory (Information Gain)

EU261/2004 Compensation Rules on European Routes:
- Flight Cancellations and Delays: For passenger operations departing from European Union airports (such as Malaga, Nice, Mykonos, or Santorini) back to Abu Dhabi, travelers are protected under the EU261/2004 framework. If a flight is canceled or delayed by more than 3 hours for reasons within the airline's control, passengers are entitled to compensation between €250 and €600 depending on the route distance.
- Duty of Care: The operating airline must provide free meals, refreshments, and two telephone calls or emails during significant delays. If the delay extends overnight, hotel accommodation and round-trip transfers must be provided.
UAE GCAA Passenger Protection Guidelines:
- Delay Welfare: For flights departing from Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE requires carriers to provide refreshments and communication access if delays exceed 4 hours.
Stopover Medical Travel Protection:
- Insurance Program: Eligible international passengers booking stopovers in Abu Dhabi between July and December 2026 will receive complimentary medical travel insurance. Administered by the National Health Insurance Company - Daman, the policy provides up to 15 days of emergency medical coverage within the UAE.

Industry Analyst View

The simultaneous network expansions of Etihad Airways and Riyadh Air mark a new phase of competition in Gulf aviation. While established carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways manage slot constraints and fleet retirements, Etihad is using its fleet expansion to secure market share on seasonal European and regional Middle Eastern routes. This route diversification allows the airline to reduce its reliance on standard transit passenger flows and attract more direct tourism to Abu Dhabi.

Riyadh Air's entry as a competitor out of Dubai and Riyadh is expected to pressure regional fares, benefit consumers, and improve scheduling flexibility. However, managing high-frequency networks in a complex airspace environment requires close cooperation between regional aviation authorities. As passenger traffic continues to grow, maintaining route reliability and slot punctuality will remain key operational challenges for Middle Eastern carriers.

FAQ

When did Etihad Airways double its flights to Kabul?

Etihad Airways doubled its scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi and Kabul starting on July 15, 2026, due to strong regional demand.

What European destinations did Etihad restore for the summer season?

Etihad restored five seasonal routes: Mykonos and Malaga (June 15, 2026), Santorini (June 16, 2026), Nice (June 19, 2026), and Al Alamein (July 16, 2026).