Etihad Airways is boosting service between Abu Dhabi and Karachi to four daily non-stop flights from October 1, 2025, taking the route to 28 weekly flights. Tickets are on sale now as demand rises across the UAE–Pakistan corridor.
The move raises Etihad’s total weekly services to Pakistan to 60, giving travelers more choice, better timings, and smoother connections. Flight time remains about two hours and 15 minutes in each direction.
What’s changing on October 1, 2025
- Frequency: Four daily non-stop flights each way (28 per week) between Abu Dhabi and Karachi.
- Start date: October 1, 2025. Tickets are available for booking now.
- Flight duration: About 2 hours 15 minutes.
- Where to book: Etihad’s official website at www.etihad.com and authorized travel agents.
Daily schedule (local times)
- Abu Dhabi → Karachi departures: 2:25am, 7:50am, 2:40pm, 11:40pm
- Karachi → Abu Dhabi departures: 5:15am, 6:35am, 12:00pm, 9:35pm
These balanced timings help business travelers fit meetings into the same day and give families options around school and work schedules.
Why Etihad is adding flights
Etihad is responding to strong demand from the large Pakistani community living in the UAE—about 1.9 million residents—and to growing business and leisure travel between the two countries.
Karachi remains a major economic hub in Pakistan, so thicker air links support trade, family visits, and urgent trips.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the expansion aligns with Etihad’s broader 2025 plan to grow its network and strengthen key regional routes. The carrier is also adding service to Peshawar, starting with five weekly flights on September 29, 2025, and moving to daily from November 22, making it the fourth direct gateway into Pakistan for Etihad.
What it means for travelers
- More choice and flexibility: With four daily flights in both directions, passengers can choose early morning, midday, or late-night options to fit their needs.
- Stronger connections: Timings are set to help onward journeys to the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and North America.
- Comfort on board: Etihad plans modern aircraft with advanced entertainment and its signature hospitality on this short-haul route.
- Fares: For summer 2025, average fares to Pakistan are in the range of Dh975–Dh1,015 for July travel, indicating competitive pricing as capacity grows.
Practical examples:
– A Karachi-based textile buyer can fly early, connect onward the same day, and return on a late-night service—avoiding long airport gaps.
– A family in Abu Dhabi can pick midday departures to Karachi and a late return after a weekend visit for a smoother experience with children.
Booking and travel checklist
- Book now: Use Etihad’s official website or an authorized travel agent to pick flight times that suit your plans. Seats are already open for sale on the new schedule.
- Have documents ready: Bring a valid passport and a visa if required.
- Check entry rules: For current entry and visa guidance for the UAE, see the UAE Digital Government portal: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id
- Arrive early: With added frequencies, airports can be busy during peak times; allow extra time for security and check-in.
Note: Always review travel advisories and airport guidelines close to your departure date, as policies can change.
Airline strategy and performance
Adding Karachi capacity strengthens Etihad’s position on one of the region’s busiest corridors. Industry analysts see the additional flights as a smart move to meet steady demand and secure market share as more carriers eye South Asian routes.
Key performance indicators:
– 10% increase in operating fleet size (reported by Etihad)
– 87% passenger load factor in early 2025 — a record showing strong performance and room to grow
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves has highlighted new routes and frequency increases as cornerstones of the airline’s 2025 plan. The Karachi expansion aligns with that strategy.
Peshawar and wider network expansion
Beyond Karachi, Etihad is launching service to Peshawar with:
– Five weekly flights from September 29, 2025, rising to
– Daily from November 22, 2025
This will give Pakistan four direct gateways on Etihad, improving access for families and workers traveling between Pakistan and the UAE. The added capacity also helps distribute demand across multiple cities, which can support steadier fares and smoother travel during holidays.
Government and bilateral ties
Reports note that authorities in the UAE and Pakistan welcome steps that make it easier for people to visit family, do business, and support trade. No formal government statements were cited in the latest updates, but the added flights clearly support closer links between the two countries.
What passengers should watch next
- Seat availability: Early bookers get better fares and preferred times.
- Connection windows: Check minimum connection times in Abu Dhabi if you plan to fly onward—the new schedule aims to reduce long waits.
- Holiday peaks: Expect higher demand around Eid and school breaks; plan ahead.
Etihad’s broader 2025 plan includes launching 16 new destinations and raising frequencies on high-demand routes. If bookings stay strong on Karachi and Peshawar, further adjustments are likely.
Practical tips
- Compare the four daily options and pick the one that best matches your onward connection or family routine.
- If you’re a Karachi-origin traveler working in the Gulf, consider late-night departures from Abu Dhabi to reach home by morning.
- For business trips, midday or afternoon arrivals help you be refreshed and ready for meetings the next day.
The bottom line
- Start date: October 1, 2025
- Route: Abu Dhabi–Karachi
- Frequency: Four daily flights, 28 weekly
- Total Etihad flights to Pakistan: 60 weekly
- Typical flight time: ~2h15m
- Fares (July 2025 to Pakistan): Dh975–Dh1,015 (average range)
- Booking: www.etihad.com
Etihad’s step-up on the Abu Dhabi–Karachi route gives travelers more control over timing, better connection options, and competitive pricing. VisaVerge.com reports that this expansion fits a year of steady growth for the carrier and continued strong demand between the UAE and Pakistan. For families, workers, and businesses on both ends, the added flights mean easier trips and faster links across a region that relies on quick, reliable air service.
This Article in a Nutshell
Etihad expands Abu Dhabi–Karachi service to four daily non-stop flights from October 1, 2025, boosting convenience. The move raises weekly Pakistan capacity to 60, supports business and family travel, and offers varied departure times. Tickets are available now at www.etihad.com; average July 2025 fares ranged Dh975–Dh1,015.
