Etihad starts Gothenburg-Abu Dhabi route

Etihad Airways will launch direct flights from Gothenburg to Abu Dhabi on December 17, 2026, operating four times weekly with an Airbus A321LR.

Etihad Airways will launch direct flights between Göteborg Landvetter Airport and Abu Dhabi on December 17, 2026. The four-times-weekly service, which is now open for booking, will be operated using an Airbus A321LR aircraft.

This marks the first direct air link between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates. The aircraft will seat 160 passengers across three cabin classes: First, Business, and Economy.

Strong Regional Demand

The route has generated strong interest in West Sweden. According to the source, local companies conduct business across Asia, and many residents have relatives and friends in the Middle East and beyond. The new flights are positioned to improve regional connectivity.

Mats Johannesson, CEO of Swedavia Airports, welcomed the announcement. "We are very much looking forward to welcoming Etihad Airways in December," Johannesson stated. He noted the service would strengthen connectivity for the region, particularly to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

Johannesson said the investment demonstrates strong confidence in the Swedish aviation market and in West Sweden as a region.

Network and Aircraft Choice

Etihad Airways is the largest airline at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. The carrier offers a wide global network, flying to more than 50 destinations in Asia alone. From its Abu Dhabi hub, travellers can connect onwards to India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and many other global points.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, explained the rationale for selecting the Airbus A321LR. "The A321LR enables us to offer a route that includes our full product offering, with three cabin classes, at a scale that suits Gothenburg," Neves said. He added that the service opens up Etihad's global network to the Swedish market.

The flights are expected to provide West Sweden with stronger ties to key international markets. Business travellers will gain more convenient options, while leisure passengers will find easier access to visit relatives or explore new destinations.

About the Partners

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 2003, it operates passenger and cargo services from its Abu Dhabi hub across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Together with partner airlines, Etihad provides access to hundreds of international destinations and has won numerous awards for its service.

Swedavia owns, operates, and develops ten airports in Sweden. The group's mission is to deliver the connectivity the country needs for travel and business. Swedavia states that its own operations at all ten airports have been fossil-free since 2020. In 2025, the Group generated revenue of about SEK 6.8 billion and employed around 2,800 people.

The new route will remove the need for connections through other European hubs on many long-haul journeys from West Sweden. As the start date approaches, both Swedavia and Etihad expect the service to become a valued addition to the airport's route network.

Source: AviationSource News