Etihad Airways will deploy Viasat’s next-generation connectivity solution, Viasat Amara, across its entire fleet as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver a world-class guest experience. The expansion, announced today by the Abu Dhabi-based airline and Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, builds on a successful multi-year collaboration. Onboard Etihad aircraft, Viasat will power high-speed connectivity that enables guests to access streaming subscriptions on personal devices, to view Live TV on the aircraft seatback IFE screens—providing a variety of news and sports channels for guests’ enjoyment—and to utilize applications for social media scrolling, browsing, shopping, and more.

Etihad Airways has commenced flights from Abu Dhabi to Medina this week, further expanding the airline’s strong footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and enhancing travel options for guests across religious, business and leisure segments. The resumed direct service connects Abu Dhabi with Medina, one of the most spiritually significant cities in the world and a key destination for visitors performing religious travel throughout the year. The route will support growing demand from pilgrims and travellers across the world seeking seamless connections to the Kingdom’s holy city. Medina becomes the latest addition to Etihad’s operations in the Kingdom, reinforcing the UAE’s national carrier as a major facilitator of travel to and from Saudi Arabia. With the launch of flights to Medina, Etihad will operate 93 flights per week to five cities across the Kingdom, flying four times per day to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, and three services per week to Al Qassim. This expansion is part of Etihad’s ambitious growth strategy, announcing 31 new destinations in a year.

Etihad Airways has reached a new milestone in its growth story, now operating 300 scheduled passenger flights per day. This achievement is underpinned by strong growth in 2025, highlighted by an over 20% year-on-year increase in daily flights, positioning Etihad among the fastest-growing full-service airlines globally. It reflects the airline’s strongest performance to date, driven by operational excellence, sustained passenger demand, and continued network expansion. All 300 daily flights are scheduled passenger services, underscoring Etihad’s role in connecting people and cultures while advancing Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s most connected and accessible cities.

Etihad Airways has concluded a landmark week of global growth with the successful launch of flights to Krabi, Thailand, celebrating four new routes in one week, including Sumatra (Medan, Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The inaugural flights to all four new destinations were sold out, demonstrating a strong demand for the new routes and the airline’s successful trajectory towards its ambitious growth plans.

Etihad Airways today celebrated its inaugural flight to Peshawar (PEW), expanding its network in Pakistan and providing convenient access for travellers from Pakistan to the UAE, GCC and across Etihad’s wider network. The new direct service connects Abu Dhabi to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a city renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and role as a gateway to trade and tourism. The route is expected to serve strong demand from the more than 1.5 million Pakistanis living and working in the UAE, while also enhancing two-way travel for trade, business and leisure.

Etihad Airways continues expanding its global network with the announcement of a key new destination in the Middle East, Damascus, Syria from June 2026. The new route reflects growing demand from travellers in the UAE and GCC to connect directly to Damascus. Etihad’s new airbridge with Damascus also provides travellers from Syria with direct access to the beautiful emirate of Abu Dhabi. Travellers benefit from access to Etihad’s expansive global network, with seamless connections through Zayed International Airport.