Abu Dhabi-bound flights from Bucharest to be launched by Etihad Airways starting in March 2026.
Etihad Airways Expands Route Network with New Destinations
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is set to launch a new route from Bucharest to Abu Dhabi starting March 16, 2026, with four weekly flights operated by Airbus A321ceo aircraft. This announcement is part of Etihad’s broader expansion strategy, which includes the addition of seven new seasonal summer destinations for 2026: Kraków in Poland, Salalah in Oman, and Kazan in Russia, as well as Almaty, Baku, Tbilisi, Tashkent, and Yerevan.
The new routes from Bucharest to Abu Dhabi will take place four times per week, with flights starting on March 16, 2026. In addition to Bucharest, Etihad is adding six other new destinations, with Almaty, Baku, Medina, Tbilisi, Tashkent, and Yerevan set to operate during the peak travel months. Medina will begin earlier in November 2025.
Each of these routes has been chosen for cultural significance, tourism appeal, and growing travel demand. Etihad’s fleet expansion plans related to these new routes involve using mostly Airbus A321ceo aircraft for the new route launches, such as Bucharest and Medina.
Etihad Airways has not specified the exact dates for the operation of these new routes, but the airline is continuing its broader expansion strategy. By mid-2025, Etihad's CEO noted that more than 10 million guests had already flown with the airline in the year, nearing 20 million on a rolling 12-month basis.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, the CEO of Etihad Airways, has also been involved in the hospitality industry, opening a hotel in Romania under the Ibis brand near Henri Coandă - Otopeni Airport in Bucharest.
Etihad Airways has acquired shares in several foreign airlines, including in Europe, over the last decade. However, the airline has since retreated from many of its positions in foreign airlines.
In summary, Etihad Airways is launching a new route from Bucharest to Abu Dhabi starting March 2026 with four weekly flights on A321ceo. The airline is also introducing flights to Baku (Azerbaijan), Yerevan (Armenia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Medina (Saudi Arabia). These new routes and destinations are part of Etihad’s strategy to expand its network considerably, supporting Abu Dhabi’s role as a tourism and trade hub.
The new routes from Etihad Airways will not only connect Bucharest and Abu Dhabi, but also Baku (Azerbaijan), Yerevan (Armenia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Medina (Saudi Arabia). These travel destinations reflect Etihad's lifestyle-driven expansion strategy, aiming to cater to growing travel demand and contribute to Abu Dhabi's development as a tourism and trade hub.
