Etihad Airways starts direct services between Abu Dhabi and Salalah

Etihad Airways has launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Salalah, strengthening air connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and Oman as the carrier expands its regional network for the summer travel season.

The inaugural service operated on 21 May 2026, marking Salalah as the airline’s second destination in Oman after Muscat, where Etihad has maintained operations for two decades.

The new route initially operates with two weekly flights and will increase to five weekly services from 15 June to accommodate higher passenger demand during Oman’s Khareef season, a peak tourism period that attracts visitors from across the Gulf region and international markets.

Seasonal tourism demand shapes expansion

With a flight duration of under two hours, the Abu Dhabi-Salalah service is positioned to serve both leisure and regional travellers seeking access to southern Oman’s seasonal tourism attractions, including coastal areas, mountains and monsoon-driven landscapes.

According to Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, the new route reflects the airline’s broader strategy of strengthening regional connectivity while supporting tourism growth across Oman.

The airline also stated that the route improves onward connectivity for passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi from Europe, Asia and India via Etihad’s international network.

Flight frequency to increase from June

Etihad will initially operate the route twice weekly before expanding to five weekly services from mid-June.

The airline’s published schedule includes:

Schedule from 21 May to 14 June 2026

• EY687: Abu Dhabi to Salalah
  • Departure: 08:25
  • Arrival: 10:15
  • Operating days: Thursday and Sunday
  • Aircraft: Airbus A320
• EY688: Salalah to Abu Dhabi
  • Departure: 11:20
  • Arrival: 13:10
  • Operating days: Thursday and Sunday
  • Aircraft: Airbus A320

Schedule from 15 June 2026 onwards

• EY687: Abu Dhabi to Salalah
  • Departure: 08:25
  • Arrival: 10:15
  • Operating days: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Aircraft: Airbus A320
• EY688: Salalah to Abu Dhabi
  • Departure: 11:20
  • Arrival: 13:10
  • Operating days: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Aircraft: Airbus A320

Regional network expansion continues

The Salalah route forms part of Etihad Airways’ wider seasonal expansion strategy for summer 2026.

The airline has also added destinations including Krakow, Palma de Mallorca and Zanzibar as part of efforts to capture seasonal leisure demand and diversify regional and international connectivity.

Industry observers note that Gulf carriers continue expanding short-haul and leisure-focused routes as regional travel demand remains strong, particularly during holiday and tourism-driven travel periods.

The addition of Salalah further strengthens Etihad’s regional footprint at a time when airlines across the Middle East are increasing focus on tourism partnerships, transit traffic and destination-led expansion strategies.

As seasonal travel demand across the Gulf continues rising, airlines are expected to further adjust route frequencies and capacity deployment to capture leisure traffic and strengthen regional connectivity networks.