Etihad Airways has announced the launch of flights to Sochi, the gateway to the northeast coast of the Black Sea. The airline will operate three weekly flights between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Sochi International Airport (AER), perfectly timed for summer and winter leisure getaways.
Tickets are now available for purchase, with flights scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays using the airline’s modern A320 family aircraft, according to a statement. Each aircraft features eight Business Class seats and 150 in Economy, ensuring all passengers enjoy Etihad’s award-winning service on board.
This announcement marks the latest addition to Etihad’s expanding network, representing the fourteenth new destination the airline will introduce this year. The new route offers guests more opportunities to explore Abu Dhabi, whether as a stopover or a final destination. Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover program enhances this experience, allowing travelers to transform their layovers into memorable stays with up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels in the city.
Read more: Etihad Airways named official airline partner of 1 Billion Followers Summit
January travel surge
On Thursday, Etihad Airways revealed its traffic statistics for January 2025, marking the start of the year with remarkable results. During the month, the airline welcomed 1.7 million travelers, representing an 18 percent increase compared to the same period last year, and achieved a passenger load factor of 89 percent, up from 86 percent in January 2024.
December 2024 performance
Etihad Airways welcomed in December 2024 a total of 1.7 million travelers during the month, a remarkable increase of more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year, and a load factor of 87 percent compared to 84 percent for December 2023.
In the full year of 2024, Etihad Airways carried 18.5 million travelers, with a passenger load factor of 87 percent across the year, up 1 percent from 2023 when the airline carried 14 million guests.
In 2023, Etihad Airways operated a fleet consisting of 83 aircraft and flew to 67 destinations. Since then, the airline has grown its fleet by 14 aircraft, currently operating 97 airplanes to 71 destinations globally.
Over 10 new destinations added
Last year, Etihad Airways launched over 10 new destinations all over the world in one day, including Algiers, Atlanta, Hong Kong and Phnom Penh. The ten routes will complement Etihad’s previously revealed new destinations for 2025 including Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein.
Etihad’s expansion will bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination for leisure, business, and cultural tourism. The move aligns with the UAE capital’s efforts to attract international travelers and reinforces its reputation as a hub of connectivity, innovation, and hospitality.
2025 expansion plans
2025 will mark a pivotal year for Etihad Airways, with more than 90 destinations in over 50 countries and a fleet of more than 110 aircraft, including the new A321LRs. The airline expects to welcome over 20 million travelers onboard next year, further supporting tourism growth in Abu Dhabi.
In a bid to further improve its customer experience for passengers flying to the United States, Etihad Airways opened its new Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport on December 30, 2024.
Located steps away from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, the new lounge provides eligible travelers with a serene space to unwind after completing their U.S. entry formalities and before boarding their flight.
Etihad currently serves four U.S. destinations with nonstop flights to Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington D.C. The airline will also launch services to Atlanta in July 2025, further strengthening its commitment to the North American market.
