Etihad not returning to Riyadh. Photo: Shutterstock As security tensions and disruptions to aviation in the Middle East continue, as the UAE's aviation giant, Etihad Airways, is making a partial return to operations in Saudi Arabia: flights to Jeddah resume today (Friday, November 6), while the kingdom's capital Riyadh and the city of Dammam remain off the company's flight schedule for at least another two weeks.
According to an official update published by Etihad, four flights on the Abu Dhabi-Jeddah route are expected to resume operations starting today. These are flights EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah, and flights EY602 and EY604 in the opposite direction.
The company clarifies that the remaining flights on the route to Jeddah will continue to operate according to the planned schedule.
However, in parallel with the resumption of operations in Jeddah, Etihad announces the extension of flight cancellations to two of the main destinations in Saudi Arabia.
All passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, as well as between Abu Dhabi and Dammam, will remain canceled until Thursday, November 19, inclusive.
This means that while the company is gradually restoring some operations in Saudi Arabia, the routes to two important hubs in the kingdom remain shut down due to regional disruptions affecting aviation.
The company emphasizes that the situation in the region continues to change and that schedules may be adjusted further. The company recommends that passengers check their flight status on the official website before leaving for the airport.