Etihad Airways and Air Europa have marked a major milestone with the launch of Air Europa’s first-ever flight from the Middle East, operating a wet-lease Boeing 787-9 service from Abu Dhabi to Madrid. The inaugural flight signifies the Spanish carrier’s debut in the region and strengthens the growing partnership between the two airlines.
This new service, part of an expanded codeshare and frequent flyer agreement, enhances connectivity between the UAE and Spain. Etihad now offers twice-daily flights to Madrid, with the afternoon EY103 operated by Air Europa. The move supports increased travel demand, tourism, and trade between the two nations.
Executives from both airlines hailed the milestone as a foundation for deeper collaboration, highlighting the potential for future commercial initiatives and broader connectivity across more than 130 global destinations through their combined networks.