by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 12:30 PM ET, Tue October 27, 2026
The first direct flight linking Alberta and the Gulf Region took off from the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi, landing at Calgary International (YYC). The sold-out inaugural flight was met by representatives of the Government of Alberta, media, airport officials and tourism partners for a Western Canadian welcome.
“Today, the distance between Calgary and Abu Dhabi feels a whole lot shorter,” says Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO, Calgary Airports. “With Etihad’s arrival at YYC, we’re creating a direct link between two dynamic regions as we open Calgary to the world and the world to Calgary. We’re proud to see this partnership take flight and even prouder to welcome Etihad’s first guests to Calgary.”
The airline was equally enthusiastic. "Some routes immediately feel significant, not simply because they connect two destinations, but because of the opportunities they create. Calgary is one of those routes,” says Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways. “Calgary represents an exciting new chapter in Etihad's growth story. We are proud to mark this milestone alongside our partners and look forward to building a long-lasting connection between Western Canada, Abu Dhabi and the destinations across Etihad's global growing network.”
Calgary is now Etihad’s westernmost gateway and its second Canadian destination. The airline says this route is a reflection of its “long-term commitment to Canada and ambition to connect more travellers, businesses and communities with Abu Dhabi...and reinforcing the airline's continued growth and global expansion in high-potential markets where demand continues to grow. ”
The new route gives Western Canadians unprecedented access to the UAE and Etihad’s connections throughout Western Asia and Africa. Passengers can take advantage of the airline’s stopover programme, which encourages visitors to spend more time in the capital region.
Calgary Flight schedule
| Flight | From | Departure | To | Arrival | Days | Aircraft |
| EY29 | Abu Dhabi | 02:25 | Calgary | 07:00 | Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun | B787-9 |
| EY30 | Calgary | 13:00 | Abu Dhabi | 12:55 (+1) | Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun | B787-9 |
For more information about the new route, please visit etihad.com
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