New direct flight routes launching from the UAE in 2026
UAE airlines are continuing to expand their networks as the final months of 2026 approach, with a number of new routes still to launch before the end of the year. Recent tensions in the Middle East have led some carriers to adjust schedules and suspend services, but airlines including Etihad Airways , Emirates , flydubai and Air Arabia have continued to announce new destinations and expand their…
The UAE airlines are set to launch new direct flight routes in 2026, expanding their global network beyond the Middle East. Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia have announced several new destinations for the final months of the year. The first route from Abu Dhabi to Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, launched on March 20 by Etihad, offering four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Charlotte is known for its Southern hospitality and modern attractions, including the Nascar Hall of Fame and diverse neighborhoods. Another route from Abu Dhabi to Salalah, Oman, began on May 21 by Etihad, with flights scheduled twice weekly on Sundays and Thursdays, increasing in frequency during the khareef season. Salalah is a summer oasis in the Arabian Peninsula, famous for its misty mountains and waterfalls.
Etihad also launched flights from Abu Dhabi to Damascus, Syria, on June 12, with four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Damascus is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, home to landmarks like the Umayyad Mosque and the Citadel of Damascus.
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