Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates to establish a route linking Bucharest and Abu Dhabi starting from March 2026.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced seven new destinations as part of its 2026 expansion plans. The new routes include Almaty (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bucharest (Romania), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Yerevan (Armenia) [1][2][3][4].
This expansion will significantly increase Etihad's network, bringing its total number of new routes announced or launched in 2026 to 27 [1][2][4]. One of the new routes will connect Bucharest, Romania, with Abu Dhabi [1][2][4]. Flights between Bucharest and Abu Dhabi are set to start from March 16, 2026, with tickets going on sale shortly after the announcement. However, the exact frequency of flights from Bucharest to Abu Dhabi was not explicitly stated in the press releases [1][2][4].
The Medina route is notable for starting earlier, in November 2025, catering to both religious tourism and enhancing the airline’s service offerings in the Gulf region [1][3][4][5]. The expansion emphasizes connecting Abu Dhabi directly to fast-growing regions in the Gulf, Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, stimulating tourism and trade in the UAE capital [1][4].
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, a member of the Al Nahyan family from the United Arab Emirates, leads Etihad Airways. Over the last decade, the airline has acquired shares in several foreign airlines, including some in Europe [6]. This strategy also aligns with the exit of Wizz Air from Abu Dhabi, as Etihad aims to capture the demand for routes previously served by Wizz Air, including several of these new destinations [4].
| New Destinations | Start Date | Notes | |-------------------|----------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Bucharest (Romania) | March 2026 | Part of 7 new routes | | Medina (Saudi Arabia) | November 2025 | Early start, religious tourism focus | | Almaty, Baku, Tbilisi, Tashkent, Yerevan | March 2026 | Enhances Abu Dhabi connectivity |
In addition to these announcements, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan has also opened a hotel in Romania, near Henri Coandă - Otopeni Airport in Bucharest, under the Ibis brand [7]. Etihad Airways aims to double its fleet size by 2030 compared to 2022 [8].
Sources: [1] Etihad Airways Press Release, 2025. [2] Arabian Business, 2025. [3] Gulf News, 2025. [4] Reuters, 2025. [5] Travel Pulse, 2025. [6] Financial Times, 2021. [7] Hotelier Middle East, 2022. [8] Simple Flying, 2021.
The expansion of Etihad Airways' network includes the introduction of a new route connecting Bucharest, Romania, with popular travel destinations such as Abu Dhabi, making it easier for individuals to explore different lifestyles. With the launch of flights between these cities in March 2026, travelers can look forward to experiencing the diverse culture and rich history of Bucharest and the modern Arabic metropolis of Abu Dhabi.
