{"id":144338,"date":"2026-05-30T11:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T05:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=144338"},"modified":"2026-05-30T02:12:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T20:42:18","slug":"etihad-delays-launch-of-flights-to-this-new-destination-by-december-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/30\/etihad-delays-launch-of-flights-to-this-new-destination-by-december-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Etihad Delays Launch of Flights to This New Destination by December 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>ABU DHABI-<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/tag\/etihad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Etihad Airways (EY)<\/a> has revised the launch date of its planned Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Bucharest (OTP) service. The route, originally scheduled to begin on August 17, 2026, will now commence operations on December 17, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The carrier will deploy <a href=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?s=A321\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Airbus A321 aircraft<\/a> on the new route with four weekly frequencies. In a separate move, Etihad has cancelled its previously announced Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Tbilisi (TBS) service, which was set to operate eight times weekly from August 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Etihad Delays Launch of Flights to This New Destination by December 2026\" class=\"wp-image-68668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-50x28.webp 50w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-150x84.webp 150w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-450x253.webp 450w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo-1200x675.webp 1200w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Etihad-A321neo.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Marcos Masclans, SM Aircraft Specifications &#038; EIS at Etihad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-etihad-revised-schedule-for-romanian-capital-service\">Etihad Revised Schedule for Romanian Capital Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Etihad Airways will now begin commercial flights between its Abu Dhabi hub and Bucharest on December 17, 2026. The four-month delay shifts the launch from late summer into the winter travel period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Airbus A321 will handle all rotations on this route. Etihad operates this narrowbody aircraft across its medium-haul European and Middle Eastern network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Etihad Delays Launch of Flights to This New Destination by December 2026\" class=\"wp-image-108800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-50x28.webp 50w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-1600x900.webp 1600w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-2048x1152.webp 2048w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-150x84.webp 150w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-450x253.webp 450w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0f9b17e0a56dcf814d5a54b308b8ddd9291358e3-5000x2813-1-1200x675.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Creative Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-flight-timings-and-operating-days\">Flight Timings and Operating Days<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flight EY171 departs Abu Dhabi at 08:20 and arrives in Bucharest at 11:30 local time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The return service, EY172, leaves Bucharest at 12:35 and lands in Abu Dhabi at 19:30.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The route operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Etihad has no plans to fly this sector on Wednesdays, Fridays, or Sundays at launch, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aeroroutes.com\/eng\/260528-eydec26otp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Aeroroutes<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A_Best_Western_hotel_in_Blairsville_Georgia_United_States.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-100836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A_Best_Western_hotel_in_Blairsville_Georgia_United_States.webp 1024w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A_Best_Western_hotel_in_Blairsville_Georgia_United_States-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A_Best_Western_hotel_in_Blairsville_Georgia_United_States-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A_Best_Western_hotel_in_Blairsville_Georgia_United_States-50x38.webp 50w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A_Best_Western_hotel_in_Blairsville_Georgia_United_States-150x113.webp 150w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/A_Best_Western_hotel_in_Blairsville_Georgia_United_States-450x338.webp 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">BWH Hotels; Photo- Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tbilisi-route-withdrawn-from-network-plans\">Tbilisi Route Withdrawn from Network Plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Etihad has removed the planned Abu Dhabi to Tbilisi service from its future schedule. The Georgian capital service was scheduled to launch on August 17, 2026, with eight weekly flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The airline has not announced any revised launch date for the Tbilisi route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Passengers seeking travel between <a href=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?s=Abu+Dhabi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Abu Dhabi<\/a> and Georgia will need to rely on alternative carriers or connecting itineraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"618\" src=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-1024x618.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-97315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-1024x618.webp 1024w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-300x181.webp 300w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-768x463.webp 768w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-50x30.webp 50w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-150x90.webp 150w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-450x271.webp 450w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped-1200x724.webp 1200w, https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bucharest_University_Square_cropped.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iconic University Square, Bucharest, Romania; Photo- Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-network-implications-for-2026\">Network Implications for 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bucharest will join Etihad&#8217;s growing list of European destinations once the delayed service begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Romanian capital provides connectivity for passengers travelling between Eastern Europe and the carrier&#8217;s onward network across Asia, Africa, and <a href=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?s=Australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australia<\/a> through Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The schedule changes reflect Etihad&#8217;s continued adjustments to its 2026 expansion plans as the airline refines its route strategy and fleet deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/s\/aviationa2z\" rel=\"nofollow\">Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMPLdrgsw_-jGAw?hl=en-IN&amp;gl=IN&amp;ceid=IN%3Aen\">Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-aviation-a-2-z wp-block-embed-aviation-a-2-z\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"LF4c9SLc03\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/etihad-airways-to-operate-6-daily-flights-to-tel-aviv\/\">Etihad Airways to Operate 6 Daily Flights to One of the Most Dangerous City in the World<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Etihad Airways to Operate 6 Daily Flights to One of the Most Dangerous City in the World&#8221; &#8212; Aviation A2Z\" src=\"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/etihad-airways-to-operate-6-daily-flights-to-tel-aviv\/embed\/#?secret=zM7DRHcOPr#?secret=LF4c9SLc03\" data-secret=\"LF4c9SLc03\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Etihad Airways delays Abu Dhabi to Bucharest route launch until December 2026 and cancels planned Tbilisi service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":115212,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7215,6761],"tags":[2448,25244,22384,7974,3511,8396],"class_list":{"0":"post-144338","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-airline-news","8":"category-news","9":"tag-etihad","10":"tag-etihad-a321lr","11":"tag-etihad-a321neo","12":"tag-etihad-abu-dhabi-flights","13":"tag-etihad-airways","14":"tag-etihad-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144338"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144338\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":144340,"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144338\/revisions\/144340"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/115212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=144338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=144338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}