Calgary. Photo: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the launch of its first-ever direct flight between Abu Dhabi and Calgary, Canada, marking a new strategic direct connection between the Middle East and Western Canada.
The new route will launch on November 3, 2026, and it represents yet another step in the airline's global expansion while supporting Abu Dhabi's long-term goals of strengthening international trade, tourism, and investment.
The direct flight will connect two leading international hubs in the fields of energy, innovation, and culture: Abu Dhabi, with a growing economy and a broad cultural and tourism offering, and Calgary, a center for energy, advanced manufacturing, and innovation in Canada. The route is expected to open new opportunities for business travel, economic cooperation, and trade movement between the regions.
Etihad Airways. Photo: Shutterstock
Calgary. Photo: ShutterstockThis is also significant news for leisure tourism. Travelers from Canada will enjoy direct access to Abu Dhabi with its cultural attractions, beaches, resorts, and year-round sunshine, while travelers from the Emirates and Etihad’s global network of destinations will be able to easily reach Calgary, which serves as a gateway to Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, some of the most spectacular scenery in North America.
Calgary joins Etihad's list of new long-haul destinations, following recent announcements of direct routes to Luxembourg and Palma de Mallorca.
Etihad CEO Antonaldo Neves said: “The launch of our Abu Dhabi–Calgary service is both a significant and historic step in Etihad’s global expansion. By creating the only nonstop link between the Middle East and Western Canada, we are opening new opportunities for trade, tourism and investment, while giving travellers direct access to two distinctive and globally important destinations.”
Neves added that the line is intended to encourage two-way tourism and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the regions.
Calgary Airports President and CEO Chris Dinsdale also welcomed the move, noting that the new route will strengthen the region's connectivity to the Middle East and many other destinations in Africa, Asia, and around the world through the Etihad network.
"Calgary Airports is proud to partner with Etihad Airways to link two great cities,“ said Dinsdale.
The flights will be operated using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring Etihad's new award-winning Business and Economy classes, and specially adapted for long-haul flights.
The route to Calgary will strengthen Etihad's presence in North America, alongside existing flights to Toronto, New York, and Chicago, as well as the route to Charlotte, which is expected to open this March.
Tickets for the new Middle East-Western Canada route are already available for sale.
Flight schedule (from November 3, 2026, local time):
• Abu Dhabi - Calgary: Tues, Thu, Fri, Sun
• Calgary - Abu Dhabi: Tues, Thu, Fri, Su