Etihad Airways is bringing back its Abu Dhabi–Zanzibar route for the 2026 summer season, four weekly flights running from June 14 through September 6. The airline had dropped the route before, so this is a genuine comeback rather than a new service, and it opens a direct Gulf connection into the island’s two peak dry-season months.
Why it matters for your flight planning
For travelers coming from Europe, Russia, or Central Asia, Abu Dhabi has long been one of the more useful stopover hubs for reaching Zanzibar, alongside Doha and Dubai. A revived Etihad service means an extra option on the Gulf leg, which can matter for pricing and schedule flexibility during the June–September window — exactly when the island is driest and visibility for diving around Mnemba Atoll is at its best.
Good to know
Seasonal, not year-round. The route runs June to September only, so it won’t help with bookings outside that window — check which airlines fly the route you need before assuming Etihad covers your dates.