Etihad Airways is expanding its European connectivity from Abu Dhabi with its new Gothenburg service now set to operate year-round, rather than only during the winter season.
The airline had originally announced the route just three weeks ago as a seasonal service running from 17 December 2026 to 21 March 2027. It will now continue beyond March, following what Etihad describes as strong demand since bookings opened.
The change gives travellers in the UAE a direct connection to Gothenburg throughout the year, while also creating another route into Etihad’s wider network for passengers travelling between western Sweden, Abu Dhabi, Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Abu Dhabi-Europe flights will continue beyond winter
The Gothenburg route will launch on 17 December 2026, operating four flights a week.
The decision to make the service year-round is notable because the change comes before the first flight has even taken off. Etihad says bookings during the first three weeks showed demand from both ends of the route.
Travellers in western Sweden have been booking journeys to Abu Dhabi and onward destinations, while passengers across Etihad’s global network are booking trips to Gothenburg and Sweden’s west coast.
Arik De, Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: “Three weeks in, the market has told us we underestimated Gothenburg, and we are glad to be corrected. The strength of demand this early gives us the confidence to make Gothenburg a year-round service before the first flight has even taken off.
“Western Sweden has been waiting for this connection and the response has come from both ends of the route. Sweden’s biggest gem is being discovered, and we are pleased to be the airline opening Gothenburg to Abu Dhabi and beyond.”
What does the new route mean for travellers?
For UAE travellers, the year-round schedule means Gothenburg will remain accessible from Abu Dhabi outside the original winter timetable.
The route also works as a connecting link between western Sweden and destinations further east. From Abu Dhabi, passengers can connect to cities including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Singapore, Hanoi, Bali, Shanghai, Taipei, Bengaluru and Colombo, among others.
For travellers from western Sweden, Abu Dhabi provides direct access to the UAE as well as onward connections across Etihad’s network in Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi can also use Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, which offers up to two complimentary hotel nights.
What aircraft will operate the Gothenburg route?
Etihad will operate the service using an Airbus A321LR, configured with three cabins.
The aircraft will have:
- Two First Suites
- 14 Business seats
- 144 Economy seats
- Fully flat beds and direct aisle access in First and Business
- 13.3-inch 4K touchscreens in Economy
- High-speed Wi-Fi across all cabins
The use of the A321LR is also part of Etihad’s wider 2026 network expansion, with the airline describing Gothenburg as its 15th new destination launched this year across Europe, Asia and Africa.
Gothenburg route will cover the Swedish summer
The year-round schedule also changes the timing of the route for passengers interested in visiting Sweden.
Under the original plan, flights would have ended on 21 March 2027, before the Swedish summer. The extended schedule means the service will continue through the summer, when Gothenburg’s west-coast setting offers longer, lighter evenings, cafés and food markets, parks, open water and access to coastal islands.
Mats Johannesson, CEO of Swedavia Airports, said: “When this route was announced last month it was warmly received here, and to see it extended to a year-round schedule within three weeks says a great deal about the appetite in West Sweden for direct connections to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s global network. Travellers and companies in the region can already book and plan around this service in any season, and we look forward to welcoming the first flight in December.”
For Abu Dhabi, the immediate significance is another year-round connection with Europe, while for travellers on both sides of the route, the service provides a new direct link and access to onward destinations through the UAE.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
