Etihad Airways, the UAE's national carrier, is set to establish a new connection between Bucharest and Abu Dhabi, commencing from March 2026.
In a recent press release, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announced its expansion plans for 2026, including a new seasonal summer destination and seven new routes. One of these new routes will connect Bucharest, Romania, with Abu Dhabi, operating four times per week starting from March 16, 2026.
The new Bucharest-Abu Dhabi flights will enhance links between Romania and the UAE, marking Etihad's continued growth in Eastern Europe. The route will connect Abu Dhabi with Bucharest's Henri Coandă (OTP) Airport and is expected to be operated by Etihad’s narrow-body aircraft such as the A320 family, given the route's distance and frequency.
This expansion is part of a broader strategy by Etihad to strengthen Abu Dhabi as a hub. Alongside the Bucharest-Abu Dhabi route, Etihad will also introduce flights to Baku (Azerbaijan), Yerevan (Armenia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Medina (Saudi Arabia). The new seasonal summer destinations include Kraków in Poland, Salalah in Oman, and Kazan in Russia, all set to operate during the peak travel months.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, the CEO of Etihad Airways, has been instrumental in the airline's growth over the past decade, having acquired shares in several foreign airlines, including those in Europe. Recently, Sheikh Al Nahyan also opened a hotel near Henri Coandă - Otopeni Airport in Bucharest, under the Ibis brand.
Bucharest, a city known for its elegant architecture, vibrant culture, and lively streets, is set to benefit from this new route. The move aligns with Etihad’s strategy to expand point-to-point connectivity, capturing the market as other airlines (like Wizz Air) reduce services.
In addition to this expansion, Etihad Airways aims to double its fleet by 2030 compared to 2022, signifying a substantial growth in its network. This announcement comes just days after the initial announcement of the seven new routes, further solidifying Etihad's commitment to growth and expansion.
Etihad Airways' announcement of a new route from Bucharest to Abu Dhabi, operating four times per week, is a step towards increasing finance within the industry by capturing the travel market, particularly during the peak summer months. This expansion in the aerospace sector also highlights Etihad's strategy to extend lifestyle offerings, as Sheikh Al Nahyan's recent investment in a hotel near Henri Coandă - Otopeni Airport in Bucharest demonstrates.
