UAE-based airlines have significantly expanded their global networks this year.
UAE Airlines to Expand Global Networks in 2024
By the end of the first quarter of 2024, these airlines will have increased their reach to approximately 603 destinations worldwide, up from 586 at the close of 2023.
As the summer travel season approaches, UAE airlines are gearing up for what is anticipated to be one of the busiest periods. Recent data from Skyscanner indicates that a remarkable 92 percent of UAE residents are planning to travel abroad this summer. To accommodate this high demand, UAE airlines are actively expanding their networks with new and reinstated routes, offering more options for travelers.
Etihad Airways Expands Network
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has continued its expansion, reaching around 76 destinations by the end of the first quarter of 2024. This includes daily non-stop flights to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in India’s Kerala region. This month, Etihad will launch new routes to popular European destinations such as Malaga, Santorini, Nice, and Mykonos.
Additionally, the airline will operate three weekly flights to Antalya, Turkey, and four weekly flights to Jaipur, India. Etihad is also increasing the number of flights to key destinations like Cairo, Colombo, Islamabad, and the Maldives. As part of its long-term growth plan, Etihad has introduced direct flights to Boston, USA; Bali, Indonesia; and Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia, aiming to reach 125 destinations by 2030.
Emirates Airlines Introduces New Routes
Dubai’s Emirates Airlines has announced several new routes, expanding its network of over 150 global destinations. Recently, Emirates launched a daily service to Bogotá, Colombia, via Miami, marking its fourth gateway in South America. Starting in September, Emirates will introduce flights to Madagascar via the Seychelles, with four weekly flights between Dubai and Antananarivo. The airline has also reinstated flights to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a daily service via Singapore.
In the coming months, Emirates will resume direct flights to Edinburgh and daily services between Lagos and Dubai, starting in October.
Flydubai's Significant Network Expansion
Flydubai has seen a substantial rise in passenger numbers and is launching flights to several new European destinations this month, including Basel, Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius. The airline is also expanding in Southeast Asia, with recent launches to Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand.
Earlier this year, Flydubai became the first airline to offer direct daily flights from Dubai to Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia. Additionally, Flydubai has launched direct flights to the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia and Mombasa in Kenya. New routes to Volgograd and Poznań in Russia are also part of the airline’s expansion.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's Growing Network
In response to rising demand for budget flights, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has been expanding its route network, and by the end of the first quarter of 2024, it will have reached 40 destinations. Four times weekly, the airline now flies directly from Abu Dhabi to Cairo's Sphinx International Airport.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has also expanded its Central Asian network with the launch of flights to Turkistan, its third Kazakh destination after Almaty and Nur Sultan. Popular destinations in its network include Muscat, Salalah, Alexandria, Athens, Santorini, Almaty, Malé, and Dammam.
Air Arabia's New Routes
Air Arabia has announced direct flights from Sharjah to Krakow, Poland, starting June 29, and resumed flights between Sharjah and Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is also enhancing connectivity with direct flights to 29 destinations, including popular spots like Cairo, Colombo, Alexandria, Beirut, Tbilisi, and Chennai.
The substantial network expansion by UAE airlines highlights their commitment to meeting the increasing travel demands of residents. With new routes and reinstated services, travelers have more options than ever to explore global destinations from the UAE.
