Etihad Airways: new airline in Georgia from 2026

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announces the launch of a new direct route linking Abu Dhabi to Tbilisi from March 2026. This initiative is part of its expansion strategy aimed at strengthening its international presence and connecting key destinations in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Flights to Tbilisi International Airport will offer travelers a gateway to a destination rich in cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage sites. This link will also facilitate tourism and economic exchanges between Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, France and other partner countries.

This new service represents an attractive opportunity for business travelers and investors, attracted by the lively night markets and dynamic cultural life of Tbilisi.

Economic and strategic impact of the new link

Potential for economic growth

The creation of a new air link between Abu Dhabi and Tbilisi is part of a framework of sustained economic growth for Georgia. This opening of direct flights will promote the development of commercial exchanges, foreign investment as well as tourism, thus stimulating the local economy.

Tbilisi's lively night markets and rich cultural life will particularly benefit from this influx of travelers, while investors from the Middle East will be able to explore new opportunities in a dynamic region. Additionally, Batumi, a popular seaside resort on the shores of the Black Sea, could become another must-visit destination for travelers attracted to Georgia.

Strengthening bilateral ties

This new route marks a deepening of bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and Georgia. By facilitating the flow of people and goods, it will help strengthen economic and cultural partnerships between the two countries. The partnership extends beyond air transport, supporting the exchange of skills, collaborations in strategic sectors, and the promotion of the rich Georgian heritage, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Etihad expansion strategy

This new route is part of a global strategy of Etihad Airways, led by its CEO Antonoaldo Neves, aimed at significantly expanding the company's network throughout the world. Called “Journey 2030”, this strategy aims not only to increase the number of destinations served but also to improve the customer experience with high-end services, particularly in business class. The launch of eight weekly flights to Tbilisi reflects Etihad's desire to capture traffic between the Middle East and the Caucasian region, while consolidating Abu Dhabi as a major international hub. With its expansion, the company also plans to attract travelers wishing to explore other Georgian cities such as Batumi, which enjoys a growing reputation.

Benefits for travelers and tourism

Increased travel options

The arrival of Etihad Airways on the route between Abu Dhabi and Tbilisi marks a major development with a significant increase in direct flights, increasing to 14 weekly frequencies. This represents a doubling of the current offer on this route. Thanks to this increase in pace, travel options are expanding considerably for travelers from the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East, but also from France and other regions. For those looking for a destination that is both accessible and culturally rich, this new flexibility makes it easier to plan trips, whether for professional or leisure reasons.

Impact on tourism in Georgia

Strengthening air connectivity is a valuable opportunity for tourism in Georgia. Tbilisi, the capital famous for its rich cultural heritage listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, already attracts many visitors thanks to its lively nightlife and dynamic night markets. The increase in the number of direct flights will encourage an increased influx of international tourists, thereby boosting local economic growth. At the same time, this will help to strengthen the image of Georgia as a must-visit destination in the Caucasus region.

Services and amenities offered by Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is renowned for its high-end services, and this new route is no exception. On board, passengers will benefit from a premium service, including fresh, carefully prepared meals, a wide choice of on-demand entertainment via individual screens, as well as high-performance Wi-Fi connectivity. Travelers in business class will enjoy superior comfort, while economy class also offers spacious seats and services designed to ensure a pleasant journey.

These amenities reinforce the attractiveness of this new airline, positioning Etihad Airways as a key player on this strategic route.

Logistical and operational considerations

Preparations for launch

To ensure the success of the launch of the new route between Abu Dhabi and Tbilisi scheduled for March 2026, Etihad Airways is currently conducting a regulatory process with Georgian civil aviation to obtain the necessary flight authorizations. This preparation phase requires close coordination between the airport authorities of the two capitals and the airline to finalize operational details, such as schedules, capacity and resource management.

Once these steps have been completed, the company will be able to set up its 14 weekly flights, thus offering optimal accessibility to travelers throughout the year.

Impact on airport infrastructure

The increase in air traffic generated by this new link will have a positive impact on Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) as well as on Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport. These hubs will have to adapt to manage passenger flows, improve reception services and optimize aircraft maintenance.

In particular, Tbilisi International Airport will see its activity increase, consolidating its role as a major regional platform. On the Abu Dhabi side, the national airline and its airport infrastructure will continue to strengthen their position as a strategic transit point between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Safety and health protocols

Given the ongoing global health challenges, Etihad Airways will put in place strict safety and hygiene protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. These measures include regular disinfection of cabins, health checks upon boarding and compliance with international guidelines established by the airport and health authorities of the United Arab Emirates and Georgia.

The objective is to combine comfort and safety to reassure travelers and encourage the resumption of air traffic under the best conditions.

Conclusion

In summary, Etihad Airways' new airline route between Abu Dhabi and Tbilisi, scheduled to begin in 2026, represents a major step forward. This project will help strengthen economic and trade ties between Georgia and the Middle East, while boosting the tourism sector in this region rich in cultural heritage. Additionally, this initiative could boost tourism in other Georgian cities, such as Batumi, providing additional attraction to this expanded connectivity.

Thanks to a greater frequency of direct flights and high-end services, travelers will be able to enjoy simplified and comfortable travel. This initiative opens the door to new opportunities to explore a captivating destination.

We encourage you to book your flight now to discover Georgia and take full advantage of the advantages of this new strategic connection.