The week of October 13, 2025, marked a historic moment for Etihad Airways as it successfully launched flights to four new destinations: Krabi, Thailand; Sumatra (Medan), Indonesia; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This remarkable achievement demonstrates the airline's ability to expand its footprint rapidly and efficiently, even in a highly competitive market. Notably, all inaugural flights to these destinations were sold out, signaling a strong demand for new routes and underscoring the airline's growing appeal.

The route expansions are in line with Etihad's long-term strategy to strengthen its position as a leading carrier in the Middle East and beyond. The airline continues to focus on enhancing its presence in emerging markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and Africa, where air travel demand is rising. By offering new options to underserved markets, Etihad Airways is actively contributing to the growth of regional tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges.

The launch of these new routes has broadened the airline's reach to more regions, aligning with Etihad's mission to offer more flight options to travelers worldwide. Etihad Airways has emphasized its commitment to serving both business and leisure travelers with efficient and convenient flight options.

The introduction of direct flights to Krabi, a popular tourist destination in Thailand, marks an exciting development in Etihad's strategy to expand its presence in Southeast Asia. Krabi is renowned for its picturesque beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning limestone cliffs, making it a top spot for travelers seeking leisure and relaxation. The flights will run daily, operated by the Airbus A321LR aircraft, providing passengers with a comfortable and smooth travel experience.

To support its rapid growth, Etihad Airways has invested in modernizing its fleet, particularly with the addition of the Airbus A321LR. This fuel-efficient, narrowbody aircraft is designed to serve emerging markets by offering more flexibility with route capacities. The A321LR allows Etihad Airways to expand its network quickly and efficiently, providing a balance between cost-efficiency and passenger comfort.

With the growing number of international routes and the addition of more destinations, the Airbus A321LR is integral to Etihad's strategy for sustainable fleet expansion, enabling the airline to serve new, underserved markets while maintaining its high service standards.

To further engage passengers and celebrate its new routes, Etihad Airways has introduced the "Extraordinary Challenge" for Etihad Guest members. This exciting initiative encourages loyal passengers to visit five, ten, or fifteen of Etihad's new destinations by May 25, 2026, to win up to five million Etihad Guest Miles. Travelers who embark on this journey will have the chance to earn rewards and enhance their travel experiences while exploring Etihad Airways' growing global network. To enter the challenge, members can register online at etihad.com/extraordinary and track their progress.

The newly launched routes come with flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of travelers:

Etihad Airways continues to demonstrate impressive growth with the addition of four new routes, expanding its reach to more regions of the world. The new flights to Krabi, Phnom Penh, Medan, and Addis Ababa are part of the airline's larger strategy to connect more cities and provide more options for passengers. With the introduction of the A321LR aircraft and the Extraordinary Challenge, Etihad Airways is set to continue its commitment to improving global connectivity and offering passengers more opportunities to explore the world.

Etihad Airways Connects UAE to Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Ethiopia with New Routes to Krabi, Medan, Phnom Penh, and Addis Ababa: Know More About the Schedules - Travel And Tour World