Etihad Airways to launch first nonstop Gothenburg–Abu Dhabi service in December

Etihad Airways will launch a new nonstop service between Gothenburg Landvetter Airport and Abu Dhabi on 17 December 2026, creating the first direct air connection between Gothenburg and the United Arab Emirates.

The route will operate four times weekly using Etihad’s Airbus A321LR, configured with 160 seats across First, Business and Economy Class. The long-range narrowbody enables Etihad to offer its full three-class product while matching capacity to demand from the West Swedish market.

The new service will significantly improve Gothenburg’s connectivity with the Middle East and provide onward connections through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub to India, Southeast Asia, Australia and other destinations across Asia.

Swedavia said the route had been eagerly anticipated by both the region’s business community and leisure travellers. West Sweden has extensive commercial links with Asian markets as well as substantial demand from passengers visiting friends and relatives.

Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the A321LR was particularly well suited to Gothenburg, allowing the airline to open the destination at an appropriate scale while giving passengers access to Etihad’s extensive global network.

The Gothenburg route represents a further expansion of Etihad’s European network and strengthens Abu Dhabi’s role as a connecting hub between Scandinavia, Asia and Australia. Bookings for the new service are now open.