Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways Expands Flights to Baku and Tbilisi, Catering to Growing Demand

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Expands Regional Network with Increased Flights to Caucasus

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is significantly boosting its flight frequencies to Azerbaijan's Baku and Georgia's Tbilisi, reflecting growing demand for travel to these emerging economic destinations. The expansion underscores the UAE's strategic push to strengthen commercial ties across the Caucasus region while capitalizing on rising leisure and business travel demand from Gulf travelers.

Strategic Route Expansion Targets High-Growth Markets

The low-cost carrier now operates six weekly direct flights between Zayed International Airport and Baku's Heydar Aliyev International Airport, providing travelers with enhanced flexibility to explore Azerbaijan's capital. Meanwhile, services to Tbilisi International Airport have increased to eight weekly flights starting August 7, including double daily Thursday departures to accommodate peak travel demand to Georgia's capital.

This expansion positions Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to capture a larger share of the Gulf-Caucasus travel corridor, which has seen robust growth as both Azerbaijan and Georgia emerge as attractive destinations for UAE residents seeking affordable alternatives to traditional European getaways.

Market Context: Caucasus as the New Travel Frontier

The timing reflects broader regional travel trends, with Gulf carriers increasingly focusing on secondary markets that offer growth potential beyond saturated European routes. Both Baku and Tbilisi have invested heavily in tourism infrastructure, with Georgia's visa-free policy for UAE nationals and Azerbaijan's simplified visa processes making them particularly attractive to Middle Eastern travelers.

The move mirrors similar strategies by other regional carriers, including flydubai and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, which have also expanded into Central Asian and Caucasus markets as competition intensifies on traditional routes to Europe and Asia.

Fleet Expansion Supports Ambitious Growth Plans

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi's current fleet of 12 Airbus A320 aircraft will grow to 14 by year-end, providing the capacity needed for continued network expansion. The airline has recently launched services to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Yerevan, Armenia, signaling a clear focus on capturing demand across the broader Central Asia and Caucasus region.

Adel Al Ali, CEO of Air Arabia Group, emphasized that the frequency increases reflect the airline's commitment to enhancing regional connectivity while delivering greater convenience and value to customers. The expanded schedule aims to facilitate smoother travel experiences while supporting tourism growth between the UAE and these emerging destinations.

Investment Implications and Regional Competition

For investors, this expansion represents Air Arabia's strategy to diversify beyond traditional leisure markets while maintaining its low-cost model. The Caucasus focus could prove particularly lucrative given the region's economic development and the UAE's growing trade relationships with both Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The increased frequencies also position Abu Dhabi as an increasingly viable alternative to Dubai for regional travel, supporting the emirate's broader aviation strategy to establish itself as a secondary hub for underserved markets that complement Emirates' long-haul network.