Etihad Airways is marking two decades of service to France, having launched its first Abu Dhabi–Paris flight in June 2006 when it was less than three years old, operating a fleet of 17 aircraft to around 34 destinations.
The airline now flies up to three times daily between Abu Dhabi and Paris, and has added seasonal summer service to Nice on the French Riviera. Its broader network has grown to 118 destinations served by 124 aircraft, with Europe remaining one of its stronger demand markets.
Etihad says it is currently flying ahead of its capacity from a year ago, and has set a target of roughly 250 aircraft as it looks to double in size.
“Twenty years of flying to France is a milestone we are proud of, and at its heart are the travellers who have chosen Etihad over two decades. More and more of them are discovering Abu Dhabi for themselves, alongside the wider world our network opens up, and it is a privilege to keep welcoming them on board,” Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad Airways CEO said in a statement.
The anniversary also coincides with a push to drive tourism into Abu Dhabi itself. In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, all eligible international passengers flying into the UAE capital on Etihad now receive complimentary medical travel insurance for up to 15 days, with no application needed.
The offer runs from July to December 2026. Eligible travellers can also claim up to two complimentary hotel nights through the Abu Dhabi Stopover programme.
