UAE-Ireland travel: Etihad to double Dublin-Abu Dhabi flights
Passenger numbers rise 19 percent on Dublin route this year
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways will double its Dublin-Abu Dhabi flights to a twice-daily service from April next year, reaffirming its long-term commitment to the Irish market.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a media briefing at Dublin’s Dylan Hotel, attended by senior Etihad executives and members of the Irish travel press, according to reports from Irish media.
Jeremy Pollock, Etihad’s General Manager for the UK and Ireland, said the airline’s Irish passenger numbers are 19 per cent higher this year than in 2024, highlighting “the continued strength of demand for long-haul travel from Ireland and the role Etihad plays in connecting Irish guests to the world.” He added that with “strong forward bookings, an upgraded fleet and continued investment in product and service, Etihad is well-positioned for sustained growth in Ireland.”
Return to full capacity
Etihad currently operates 10 weekly flights between Dublin and Abu Dhabi. The new double-daily service, starting from 1 April 2026, will restore its pre-pandemic capacity on the route, first introduced in 2013 and suspended in 2020 due to global travel restrictions. Pollock confirmed that the expanded schedule has been cleared by Dublin Airport authorities and will be operated using Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777 aircraft.
He added that the move would offer “greater flexibility for passengers and cargo” while boosting connectivity to Asia and Australia. The extra flights are already available for booking, with Etihad reporting strong forward sales from the Irish market.
Expanding global network
Alpna Mathews, Etihad’s Regional General Manager for the Americas, UK and Ireland, said the carrier had launched 18 new destinations this year and would add 13 more in 2026, bringing the total to 31 within a year. Among the newest routes are Hong Kong, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Sumatra, expanding links between Abu Dhabi and Europe, Asia and Australia.
Etihad’s growing network has already attracted interest from Irish travellers, including bookings on the upcoming Abu Dhabi–Zanzibar route launching in June 2026. Mathews noted that premium leisure and long-haul travel “continue to perform exceptionally well” in Ireland.
Fleet growth plans
The airline plans to increase its fleet from 115 to 160 aircraft by 2030, with 15 new jets arriving in 2025. While facing global manufacturing delays, Etihad said it had been “fortunate” with its delivery schedule this year. The fleet expansion includes Airbus A321LR aircraft, though these will not be deployed on the Dublin route, which will continue to use wide-body Boeing aircraft for enhanced comfort and capacity.
Etihad, which has operated flights from Dublin since 2007, said the route remains central to its global operations, connecting Irish passengers seamlessly through Abu Dhabi to key destinations across Asia-Pacific and beyond.