Luxembourg to get air link with Abu Dhabi

Starting on 29 October 2026, Luxembourg's Findel Airport will have direct flights to the Middle East for the first time. Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the launch of three weekly flights between Luxembourg and Abu Dhabi, making it the first Middle Eastern airline to enter the Luxembourg market.

Flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a modern Airbus A321 LR aircraft equipped with three classes of service: from luxury cabins in first class to spacious economy class with extra legroom. Etihad emphasises that the new route meets the growing demand from travellers in Benelux, France and Germany who want to reach Abu Dhabi without transfers.

The flight from Luxembourg is scheduled to depart at 9:35 a.m. and arrive in the Emirati capital at 7:05 p.m. local time. The return flight will depart at 2:45 a.m. and arrive in Findel at 6:55 a.m. Despite the announcement, tickets are not yet available for booking on the airline's website.

Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves described the launch of the route as "building new bridges" between Europe and the Middle East, both in business and culture. Alexander Flassak, managing director of Luxembourg Airport, who has previously advocated for the development of long-haul flights from the Grand Duchy, agrees with him. He is confident that the new route will not only improve the country's global connectivity, but also provide "smooth transfers" to Asian countries.