Etihad & Qatar Airways Launch Flights to Saudi's Medina & Hail

Etihad and Qatar Airways are expanding their Saudi networks, with Etihad launching five weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to Medina (increasing to six later this year) and Qatar Airways adding a three‑weekly Doha–Hail service from January 5th, 2026, alongside extra daily flights to Riyadh and Jeddah. Etihad’s new Medina route brings its Saudi network to five cities, complementing its existing services to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Al Qassim. Across its Saudi network, Etihad now operates around 93 flights per week. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways will connect 13 Saudi cities with more than 150 weekly flights, giving travelers access to over 170 global destinations via Doha. The expansions come as Saudi Arabia ramps up tourism and transport under Vision 2030, from luxury resorts to pilgrimage travel, making it easier than ever for travelers to explore the Kingdom’s deserts, coasts, and cultural hubs.