Etihad Airways to launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tbilisi in 2026

Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is set to enter the Georgian aviation market with direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tbilisi beginning March 1, 2026, the Georgia's Civil Aviation Agency announced on Friday. 

The airline has submitted an initial application to operate 14 flights per week on the Abu Dhabi-Tbilisi-Abu Dhabi route. Regulatory procedures for issuing the official flight permit are expected to begin ahead of the 2025–2026 winter navigation season.

Givi Davitashvili, Head of the Civil Aviation Agency, welcomed the development, highlighting Etihad Airways’ reputation for high safety standards and premium passenger service.

“Etihad Airways is one of the leading global airlines in terms of aviation safety and customer experience. Their decision to include Tbilisi in their route network underscores Georgia’s attractiveness as a travel destination,” Davitashvili said.

He added that the move reflected the growing potential of air travel between Georgia and the UAE, which already represents the “most active air traffic corridor between Georgia and the Gulf region.”

Currently, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operates the Abu Dhabi-Tbilisi route with seven weekly flights. Demand for flights between Georgia and the Gulf has been steadily increasing. In 2023, a total of 647,710 passengers were transported between Georgia and the UAE - accounting for 59% of Georgia’s total air traffic with Gulf countries.