Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways issued a fresh operational bulletin on 16 October 2026 confirming the suspension of all Abu Dhabi–Riyadh flights until Monday, 19 October. The carrier also put services to Jeddah and Dammam “under continuous review,” citing airport closure notices and air-space risk assessments. Passengers holding Etihad tickets to Saudi gateways through 22 October can request refunds or rebook on alternative dates without penalty. Codeshare partners, including Air Serbia and KLM, have been instructed not to board Riyadh-bound itineraries originating in Europe until further notice. Etihad’s decision follows similar moves by Emirates and low-cost sibling flydubai but is notable because the Abu Dhabi airline had attempted limited operations using northern routing the previous day. Aviation analysts say the blanket suspension reflects insurers’ heightened war-risk premiums for Saudi airspace. Mobility planners should anticipate tighter seat availability on remaining Gulf carriers and consider re-routing essential travel via Kuwait City, Bahrain or direct charters into NEOM Bay Airport if feasible. Cargo customers moving perishable goods are advised to shift to Etihad Rail trucking solutions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia to mitigate spoilage risks. Etihad’s customer-notification system experienced heavy call volumes on Friday morning. The airline recommends using its website or WhatsApp chatbot for faster re-booking.
Source: The UAE Guides
