Etihad and Condor to Launch Direct Abu Dhabi to Berlin Flights on October 1

Direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Berlin are set to launch on October 1 following an agreement between Etihad and the German airline Condor. The start date of the new route, which was previously announced in December, was officially confirmed in Munich on Friday. Condor planes will be utilized to transport passengers to and from Zayed International Airport to Berlin's Brandenburg Airport.

Dr Nadia Bastaki, Etihad’s chief people, government and corporate affairs officer, highlighted the start of the route as a significant step. “We are really proud to be here today because this marks a very important milestone for the UAE and Germany,” she stated. “As we heard today, there are significant partnerships happening across all sectors, especially in transport and aviation.”

The route was unveiled a day after Germany announced it would open access to Berlin Brandenburg Airport to UAE airlines. This development formed part of a raft of announcements made during President Sheikh Mohamed's state visit to Germany, which included engagements with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Etihad’s presence in Germany spans 22 years, with the carrier launching its first service to the country in 2004. The Abu Dhabi airline currently operates 35 flights a week to destinations in Germany. Its partnership with Condor is expected to add between 12 and 14 weekly services across different phases, utilizing Abu Dhabi as a connecting hub for destinations including Bangkok.

Dr Bastaki noted that strong demand on Etihad’s German routes, which currently operate at a load factor of about 90 per cent, supports the case for further expansion. Germany remains one of Etihad’s most important European markets, with approximately 2,000 German companies maintaining offices in the UAE.