Etihad Airways Adds New Routes to Prague and Warsaw

Etihad Airways is enhancing its connectivity from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Central and Eastern Europe by introducing two new routes starting June 2, 2025. The airline will launch direct flights to Prague and Warsaw, marking its entry into the Czech Republic and Poland. These new services will operate four times a week using Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

This strategic expansion is part of Etihad’s broader initiative to diversify its European network and bolster its global reach. According to Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, “These routes not only enrich our network but also offer a great opportunity to strengthen ties with these countries and attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi. We see this as a key part of our growth strategy, helping to drive tourism and support the UAE’s vision for the future.”

Historically, before the pandemic, Etihad Airways serviced four destinations in Central and Eastern Europe: Baku, Azerbaijan; Belgrade, Serbia; Minsk, Belarus; and Moscow Domodedovo, Russia. Currently, the airline maintains flights only to Russia, with daily services to Moscow Sheremetyevo and bi-weekly flights to St. Petersburg.

Jiří Pos, chairman of Václav Havel Airport in Prague, welcomed the new routes, emphasizing that it followed 11 years of negotiations. “With this step, our network of long-haul flights is expanding again. We are excited to offer passengers another significant Middle East destination with excellent local potential and a network of connecting flights to Asia, Africa, and Australia,” he said.

Data from OAG Schedules Analyser indicates that Etihad will face no direct competition on its new routes. At present, there are no nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and the Czech Republic, while Wizz Air is the sole carrier operating flights between Abu Dhabi and Poland, offering a three-times-weekly service from Krakow.

In contrast, Emirates and flydubai each provide daily services from Dubai to both Prague and Warsaw, and Smartwings operates a weekly flight from Prague to Ras al Khaimah.

Etihad’s expansion into these new markets aligns with a reduction in service by Air France to Abu Dhabi. The latest schedule updates reveal that Air France will cease its Paris Charles de Gaulle route from October 27. Currently, Air France operates up to seven flights per week on this route with Airbus A350-900s, while Etihad offers daily flights with A350-1000s. For the upcoming winter 2024-25 season, Air France will end its flights, and Etihad plans to enhance its service with A380 aircraft.

This expansion underscores Etihad Airways’ commitment to growing its global network and enhancing travel options between the UAE and key European destinations.