16 new flights launching from the GCC region in 2026

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With a new year comes a fresh wave of routes linking the GCC with more cities across Europe, Asia and the wider Middle East. Among the standout debuts in 2026, Riyadh Air will launch services to London and Dubai, while low-cost carrier Flynas is planning a new route from Riyadh to St Petersburg.

International firsts also include the inaugural connection between Sharjah and London Gatwick, plus the first direct flights linking the UAE with Spain’s Balearic Islands. Within the region, new services will see Doha connected directly to Hail in northern Saudi Arabia, alongside a raft of budget-friendly flights linking Madinah with other Saudi cities, from Jazan to Abha.

Here’s a roundup of 16 new GCC flight routes to book in 2026.

1 Sharjah to London Gatwick

Air Arabia will launch a new non‑stop service between Sharjah and London Gatwick starting 29 March 2026, marking the first and only direct flights between UAE emirate Sharjah and the UK. The route will operate double daily (14 flights per week) using Airbus A321LR aircraft. For more information, see sharjah-london-flights

2 Doha to Hail
Qatar Airways will launch direct flights between Doha and Hail in Saudi Arabia from 5 January 2026. The new service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hail becomes the 13th destination in Saudi Arabia served by the carrier. Set amid northern Saudi’s mountains and deserts, Hail is known for its ancient rock art, historic forts and growing appeal as a heritage and adventure destination. For more information, see flights-to-hail-saudi-arabia

Hail is located in the mountains of northern Saudi

3 Riyadh to Dubai
Following the launch of its Riyadh–London route in late October 2025, new Saudi carrier Riyadh Air will fully roll out the service in 2026, alongside a new regional route linking the Saudi capital with Dubai. The airline also plans to expand into the Indian market from summer 2026, with flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. Riyadh Air aims to serve more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030. For more information, see riyadh-air-to-launch-with-london-route

4 Muscat to Zurich
Oman Air will resume its seasonal Muscat–Zurich service from May to September 2026, catering to leisure and business travel demand between Oman and Switzerland. The route will operate three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

5 Riyadh to St Petersburg
Flynas will launch new services from Riyadh to St Petersburg and Sochi in 2026, expanding its footprint in the Russian market following the debut of its Riyadh-Moscow route in August 2025. The expansion follows the introduction of visa-free travel between Saudi Arabia and Russia for stays of up to 90 days, and Saudia’s launch of direct flights between Riyadh and Moscow in October 2025. While St Petersburg offers grand boulevards, palatial architecture and landmark museums such as the Hermitage, Sochi combines Black Sea beaches, mountain scenery and year-round resort facilities.

saint petersburg shutterstock 1733328443

Saint Petersburg in Russia

6 Madinah to Istanbul
From 1 January 2026, Saudi low-cost carrier Flyadeal will begin operations from Madinah, establishing the Holy City as its fourth base. The airline will launch new routes from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport to five destinations, including international flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and domestic services to Jazan, Tabuk, Al Hofuf and Abha.

7 Jeddah to Mumbai
Flyadeal plans to expand its international network with the launch of services to India in early 2026, leveraging its hubs in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam to connect with up to six Indian cities by the end of the year. Initial routes will include Mumbai and Delhi in the first quarter of 2026, with additional secondary cities added as new aircraft join the fleet.

8 New direct flights from the Middle East launching this December

10 New direct flights from the Middle East launching this November

8 Muscat to Vienna
Oman’s SalamAir will launch a new Muscat-Vienna service for the northern summer 2026 season, operating twice weekly from 15 June with Airbus A321neo aircraft. The route marks the carrier’s first scheduled service to Austria and expands its European network, which already includes destinations such as Prague.

9 Abu Dhabi to Mallorca
Etihad Airways will launch the first-ever connection between the UAE and Spain’s Balearic Islands on 12 June 2026, with a new seasonal service linking Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Palma de Mallorca (PMI). Operating until September, the route will run three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, featuring an early morning departure from Abu Dhabi and a late evening return from Palma. For more information, see abu-dhabi-mallorca-flights

Palma de Mallorca in Spain's Balearic islands

10 Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar
Etihad Airways will resume seasonal flights between Abu Dhabi and Zanzibar from 14 June to 6 September 2026. The service will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using an Airbus A320 aircraft configured with both Business and Economy cabins. Zanzibar is famed for its white-sand beaches, spice plantations and the Unesco‑listed Stone Town, offering visitors a blend of Swahili culture, history and island escapes. For more information, see abu-dhabi-zanzibar-flights

11 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 designed to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for the Caucasus and Central Asia. Located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Baku blends futuristic architecture with historic palaces and a growing portfolio of hospitality developments. For more information, see 7-new-destinations

12 Abu Dhabi to Yerevan

Etihad Airways will launch its first-ever flights to Armenia on 9 March 2026, introducing a new service between Abu Dhabi and Yerevan with 10 weekly frequencies. Just three hours from the UAE, Yerevan has become increasingly 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, Yerevan combines ancient monasteries and tree-lined boulevards with a thriving art scene and European-style café culture. For more information, see 7-new-destinations

Yerevan in Armenia

13 Abu Dhabi to Tbilisi
Etihad Airways will launch eight weekly flights to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, from 13 March 2026. With its cobbled streets, historic bathhouses, renowned wine culture and scenic mountain views, Georgia continues to attract visitors in search of both adventure and culture. For more information, see 7-new-destinations

14 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 gateway to Central Asia, appealing to both leisure and business travellers. For more information, see 7-new-destinations

15 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 architecture, lively streets and vibrant cultural scene, Bucharest strengthens Etihad’s growing European network. For more information, see 7-new-destinations

Bucharest in Romania

16 Abu Dhabi to Tashkent
From 17 March 2026, Etihad Airways will launch six weekly flights to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Blending Islamic architecture with Soviet‑era landmarks, tree‑lined boulevards, modern cafés and bustling bazaars, Tashkent offers travellers a captivating glimpse into the Silk Road’s rich heritage. For more information, see 7-new-destinations

Flight frequencies from the GCC

Beyond new services, a number of regional airlines will boost frequencies across some in-demand routes. Dubai-based Emirates has confirmed several 2026 capacity and aircraft upgrades, increasing its Dubai-London Gatwick route to four round‑trip flights per day from 8 February, and rolling out the A350 on additional routes.

On Qatar Airways’ Saudi network, daily frequencies to Jeddah and Riyadh will rise from six to seven flights per day from early 2026 to meet “strong demand”; and on China routes, services to Shanghai will increase from daily to 10 weekly flights between 1 January and 28 March 2026.

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