Etihad Airways Expands Flights to Milan and Rome Amid Demand Surge
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Etihad Airways is expanding its services to Italy in response to soaring travel demand between the UAE and one of its fastest-growing European markets. The airline announced it will increase its daily frequencies to both Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), with the enhancements set to begin by November 2025.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will operate three daily flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), and two daily flights between Rome and the UAE capital. The additional Milan frequency will be operated by Etihad’s new Airbus A321LR, part of the airline’s updated narrowbody fleet.
This boost in service comes as travel between Italy and Abu Dhabi has risen by 76% compared to 2023, underscoring Italy’s growing interest in the UAE capital for both leisure and business travel. Etihad attributes this growth to Abu Dhabi’s expanding appeal as a cultural, commercial, and tourism hub.
By November 2025, Etihad will offer more than 10,000 weekly seats each way between Italy and the UAE, marking an 80% increase in capacity over the same month in 2023. The number of premium seats will also double, exceeding 1,000 per week, reflecting strong demand from business travelers and high-end leisure guests.
Etihad also highlighted the growing popularity of its Abu Dhabi Stopover program, which allows travelers from Italy to enjoy up to two nights of complimentary accommodation while exploring the city. Bookings from the Italian market for stopovers have surged by 92% since 2024, the airline said.
“The consistent growth we’re seeing from the Italian market highlights Abu Dhabi’s appeal as both a destination and global hub,” said Jurriaan Stelder, Etihad’s SVP of Network, Alliances and Industry Affairs. “This connectivity is strengthening tourism and supporting deeper ties across trade, culture, and investment.”
The expanded services between Italy and Abu Dhabi are expected to further support the UAE’s tourism goals and bolster the airline’s European footprint, especially in a high-growth market like Italy.