13 New flights from the Middle East launching in March 2026

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Travellers across the Middle East gain a wave of new options in March, as airlines add routes that deepen both regional and long‑haul connectivity.

Etihad is rolling out a cluster of new services from Abu Dhabi into the Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, while Flynas is opening an operations base in Abha to link Saudi Arabia’s southwest with key cities in Egypt, Turkey, the UAE and East Africa. Air Arabia is also stepping up its UK presence with the first non‑stop connection between Sharjah and London.

Here are 13 of the most notable routes launching this month.

1 Sharjah to London Gatwick

Air Arabia will launch a new non‑stop service between Sharjah and London Gatwick on 29 March 2026, marking the first and only direct link between the UK and the emirate of Sharjah. The route will operate double daily (14 flights per week) using Airbus A321LR aircraft, giving travellers flexible morning and evening departure options and adding a new low‑cost alternative to existing UAE–London services via Dubai and Abu Dhabi. sharjah-london-flights

2 Abu Dhabi to Baku
Etihad Airways will launch 10 weekly flights to Baku, Azerbaijan, from 2 March 2026, as part of a seven‑route expansion strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub for the Caucasus and Central Asia. Set on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Baku combines striking contemporary architecture with historic palaces and an expanding line‑up of upscale hotels and restaurants. 7-new-destinations

Baku azerbaijan old town Caravanserai shutterstock 2152837

Old Town, Baku, Azerbaijan

3 Abu Dhabi to Yerevan

Etihad Airways will launch its first-ever flights to Armenia on 9 March 2026, introducing a new Abu Dhabi–Yerevan service with 10 weekly frequencies. Just three hours from the UAE, Yerevan has become more accessible following the introduction of visa-free entry for GCC residents for stays of up to 90 days. One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, it combines ancient monasteries and tree-lined boulevards with a thriving art scene and European-style café culture. 7-new-destinations

4 Abu Dhabi to Tbilisi
Etihad Airways will launch eight weekly flights to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, from 13 March 2026. Known for its cobbled streets, sulphur bathhouses, wine culture and views towards the Caucasus Mountains, Tbilisi appeals to travellers looking to combine city breaks with easy access to nature and adventure. 7-new-destinations

Tbilisi, Georgia

5 Abu Dhabi to Almaty
Etihad Airways will add Almaty to its network from 16 March 2026, launching eight weekly flights between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Almaty International Airport (ALA). Known for its alpine landscapes, ski resorts and tree-lined parks, Kazakhstan’s largest city is emerging as a key Central Asian gateway, appealing to both leisure and business travellers.
Abu-dhabi-almaty

Air Arabia to launch direct Sharjah-London flights

7 new destinations join Etihad’s fast-growing network

6 Abu Dhabi to Bucharest
Also launching on 16 March 2026, Etihad Airways will introduce a new four-times-weekly service to Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Known for its grand boulevards, Belle Époque architecture and lively cultural scene, Bucharest adds another city‑break destination to Etihad’s growing European network. etihad-new-destinations

Bucharest, Romania

7 Abu Dhabi to Tashkent
From 17 March 2026, Etihad Airways will begin operating six weekly flights to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Tashkent blends Islamic architecture with Soviet‑era landmarks, leafy boulevards, contemporary cafés and lively bazaars, giving travellers a vivid introduction to the Silk Road’s layered heritage. Highlights include the Kukeldash Madrasah, a medieval institution for Islamic study close to Chorsu Bazaar, an open-air historic market. Abu-dhabi-flights-tashkent

8 Bahrain to Moscow Sheremetyevo

Not a brand-new city pair but an airport switch, Gulf Air will move its Bahrain–Moscow service from Domodedovo to Sheremetyevo from 2 March 2026. The daily flight will depart Bahrain at 01:35 and arrive in Moscow at 08:00, with the return service leaving Moscow at 12:50 and arriving in Bahrain at 19:15.

Kukeldash Madrasah, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

9 Jeddah to Entebbe

Flynas’ new direct Jeddah–Entebbe service is scheduled to launch on 24 March 2026, operating three times weekly with Airbus A320 aircraft and lifting total Saudi–Uganda services to eight flights per week when combined with the existing Riyadh–Entebbe route. Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe serves as Uganda’s main international gateway and a laid‑back lakeside hub for trips into Kampala and the country’s national parks. flynas-to-launch-6-new-routes

10 Abha to Cairo
Flynas is opening a new operations base in Abha, a mountain city in southwestern Saudi Arabia, and will launch six international routes from the airport from 29 March 2026. The first will be a daily Abha–Cairo service operated by Airbus A320neo aircraft, offering a link between the capital of the Asir Province and Egypt’s capital, set along the Nile and home to landmarks such as the Pyramids of Giza and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum. flynas-to-launch-abha-flights

11 Abha to Istanbul

Also from 29 March 2026, Flynas will add twice‑weekly nonstop flights from Abha to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, operated by Airbus A320neo aircraft. Istanbul’s Asian‑side hub offers easy access to the city’s historic districts, waterfront neighbourhoods and growing shopping and dining quarters, strengthening links between Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s Aseer region. abha-to-istanbul

Istanbul, Turkiye

12 Abha to Dubai

Flynas will launch direct Abha–Dubai flights on 29 March 2026, with services planned to link Abha to Dubai’s main gateways (Dubai International or Al Maktoum) subject to final slot and scheduling confirmation. The route will give Aseer residents a new low-cost option into one of the region’s busiest hubs. abha-to-dubai

13 Abha to Addis Ababa

From 30 March 2026, Flynas will introduce twice‑weekly Abha–Addis Ababa flights with A320neo aircraft, opening a new corridor between southern Saudi Arabia and East Africa. Addis Ababa, one of Africa’s key hub cities, combines lively markets, museums and coffee culture with easy onward access to Ethiopia’s highlands and historic sites. flynas-abha-addis-ababa

To keep up to date on the latest regional flights, visit and bookmark Connecting Travel’s aviation news at connectingtravel.com/news/aviation