Etihad Airways Set to Launch Direct Flights to Uzbekistan

Etihad Airways has announced plans to begin direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent starting in spring 2026.

Etihad Airways, based in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is planning to launch flights from Abu Dhabi to seven new destinations across the Gulf, Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

Among the planned routes are Almaty (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bucharest (Romania), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Yerevan (Armenia).

Tickets will go on sale within a few days, with flights set to commence in March 2026.

This announcement comes just one day after Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air revealed it is ceasing operations in Abu Dhabi, leading to the suspension of several routes - including flights to Tashkent and Samarkand.

It was also noted that Etihad Airways carried 10.2 million passengers in the first half of 2025, marking a 17% increase compared to the same period last year. The airline reported an average seat occupancy rate of 87% for the year.