Scheduled to begin operations on 2 October 2025, the new route connects Abu Dhabi directly with North Sumatra’s capital
Key Takeaway
Etihad Airways will operate three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Medan starting 2 October 2025, offering travellers direct access to North Sumatra’s cultural hub and supporting the airline’s ambitious expansion to over 90 destinations.
Etihad Airways has officially opened bookings for its new direct route connecting Abu Dhabi with Medan, Indonesia, set to launch on 2 October 2025.
The UAE’s national carrier will operate three weekly flights between Zayed International Airport and Kualanamu International Airport using the modern Airbus A321LR aircraft, providing travellers with direct access to North Sumatra’s vibrant capital.
Flight EY480 will depart Abu Dhabi at 20:45 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Medan at 06:45 the following day. The return flight, EY481, will take off from Medan at 08:45 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Abu Dhabi at 12:40.
Gateway to North Sumatra
Medan, the largest city in North Sumatra province, offers visitors a rich cultural experience with its diverse culinary scene and impressive historical landmarks. The city serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the natural wonders of North Sumatra, including Lake Toba and the orangutan sanctuary at Bukit Lawang.
Part of Major Expansion
The Medan route represents just one component of Etihad’s remarkable growth strategy for 2025. The airline has already announced 14 new destinations to be introduced from July 2025 onwards, including:
- Atlanta (USA)
- Taipei (Taiwan)
- Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
- Krabi (Thailand)
- Tunis (Tunisia)
- Chiang Mai (Thailand)
- Hong Kong
- Hanoi (Vietnam)
- Algiers (Algeria)
Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad, highlighted the distinctive appeal of these new routes: “For many of these cities, ours will be the only non-stop flight from the UAE. So if you want to go to Medan, there will be no other flights outside of Abu Dhabi.”
De also noted that many flights have been strategically scheduled to facilitate connections to Europe. “If you want to go from Hanoi to Paris, there is a lot of French influence in Vietnam. Etihad has the fastest connectivity than any other airlines in the region. So, we’ve put a lot of focus on the route network from Asia,” he explained.
Record-Breaking Year Ahead
Etihad Airways forecasts 2025 to be the “biggest year in Etihad’s history,” with expectations to transport more than double the 10 million passengers carried last year. The airline aims to serve over 90 destinations, a significant increase from the 64 destinations in its network in 2022.
Antonaldo Neves, Etihad’s Chief Executive, shared the airline’s growth projections: “We have 95 planes today and 18 to 19 million passengers, and we will reach 115 operating planes next year.”
Industry reports suggest that Etihad is preparing to announce a $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) initial public offering (IPO), according to Reuters news agency, which cited two sources last month.
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For booking information and flight schedules, visit Etihad Airways’ official website.
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