The UAE’s aviation sector has entered another competitive phase as two of the country’s leading airlines unveil extensive promotional campaigns designed to stimulate international travel demand during the second half of 2026.

Etihad Airways and Air Arabia have each introduced large-scale fare offers spanning dozens of destinations, providing travellers departing from the UAE with greater access to discounted international flights across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and other key global markets.

The campaigns arrive as airlines continue to compete aggressively for both leisure and business travellers seeking value during the late summer, autumn and early winter travel periods. While both carriers are pursuing the same objective of encouraging early bookings, each campaign reflects a distinct commercial strategy aligned with its respective business model.

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Etihad’s latest Global Sale focuses on premium long-haul connectivity from Abu Dhabi with discounts of up to 20 per cent on eligible fares, while Air Arabia is leveraging its low-cost model through attractively priced one-way tickets from Sharjah to an extensive network of regional and international destinations.

Together, the promotions reinforce the UAE’s position as one of the world’s most competitive aviation markets, offering travellers an increasingly diverse range of flight options across multiple price points.

Etihad launches time-limited global sale

Etihad Airways has launched its latest Global Sale through its dedicated flight deals platform, inviting customers to book international travel with discounts of up to 20 per cent across more than 30 destinations.

Positioned as “your ticket to the adventure of a lifetime,” the campaign encourages travellers to secure bookings before the promotion closes on July 26. The airline has established a clearly defined booking period running from 00:00 local time on July 20 until 23:59 local time on July 26, 2026.

Eligible travel dates extend from August 15 through to November 30, 2026, allowing passengers to plan journeys during the late summer, autumn and early winter travel seasons.

The promotion applies to the base fare only, with taxes and applicable fees remaining payable separately. Those additional charges continue to be displayed throughout the booking process, ensuring travellers have visibility of the total cost before completing their reservation.

Etihad has made the promotion available across both one-way and return journeys on selected Economy Basic, Economy Value, Business Value and Business Comfort fare families, depending on route availability.

Broad international network takes centre stage

A central feature of Etihad’s campaign is the breadth of destinations available from Abu Dhabi. Through its offers platform and UAE departures pages, the airline highlights access to cities across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as an international aviation hub.

The airline encourages customers to explore the latest discounts available across its global network while using the dedicated offers page as the primary gateway for current promotions.

Among the examples highlighted within Etihad’s booking ecosystem are flights from Abu Dhabi to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, demonstrating the type of long-haul destination available during the promotional period when booked within the campaign window.

Beyond individual destinations, Etihad’s messaging centres on the global reach of its network. Travellers departing from the UAE are presented with access to major commercial centres throughout Asia, city-break destinations across Europe, leisure and visiting-friends-and-relatives markets in Africa, as well as long-haul services connecting Abu Dhabi with destinations throughout the Americas.

Rather than promoting a fixed destination list, the airline dynamically displays available routes according to travel dates and live seat availability, enabling customers to browse current promotional fares based on their preferred itinerary.

Fare conditions reflect standard commercial structure

As with most airline sales, availability remains subject to inventory at the time of booking. Etihad notes that promotional fares are limited and may not be available on every flight or travel date within the campaign period.

Customers are encouraged to review individual fare conditions before confirming their bookings, as certain routes may include blackout dates, weekend supplements, peak travel surcharges or other route-specific restrictions depending on seasonal demand.

Airport taxes, fuel charges and other applicable fees are excluded from the promotional discount and remain payable in full. The airline also notes that airport taxes may change without prior notice.

Passengers wishing to modify bookings made under the promotion must process any changes directly through Etihad’s website or call centres. Any amendments trigger a complete fare recalculation using the best available fare applicable to the revised itinerary.

The airline also reminds customers that obtaining valid visas and ensuring appropriate travel documentation remain the responsibility of individual travellers.

Abu Dhabi stopover adds value proposition

Alongside discounted fares, Etihad continues to promote Abu Dhabi as more than simply a transfer hub through its established stopover programme.

Selected travellers are offered the opportunity to spend up to two days in Abu Dhabi with enhanced hotel value, allowing international passengers to incorporate a short stay in the UAE capital before continuing to their final destination.

The stopover initiative complements the Global Sale by encouraging customers to combine discounted international travel with additional time exploring Abu Dhabi’s cultural attractions, coastline and modern tourism offerings.

The strategy strengthens the airline’s broader positioning of Abu Dhabi as both a destination and a global connecting hub while adding further value to long-haul itineraries originating from the UAE.

Air Arabia focuses on affordable summer travel

While Etihad is targeting premium international connectivity, Air Arabia has launched a separate campaign built around affordable one-way fares across its extensive Sharjah-based network.

Promoted under the banner “Fly into Summer with Early Savings,” the airline’s latest initiative encourages customers to secure flights well in advance of peak travel periods.

The campaign features promotional fares starting from Dhs499, while several destinations displayed through the booking platform are available at even lower prices depending on travel dates and seat availability.

Air Arabia’s strategy spans regional services within the Gulf alongside an extensive selection of European, Central Asian, South Asian and Southeast Asian destinations.

Regional routes strengthen Gulf connectivity

Within the Gulf Cooperation Council market, Air Arabia is promoting services from Sharjah to Doha, Bahrain and Salalah.

Selected one-way fares to Doha begin from Dhs390, while Bahrain is listed from Dhs487. Flights to Salalah are promoted from Dhs510, subject to departure dates and seat availability.

These routes target a broad mix of travellers, including business passengers, weekend holidaymakers and those visiting family and friends throughout the region.

Salalah’s inclusion also aligns with its strong seasonal appeal during the summer months, when visitors are attracted by the destination’s distinctive climate and natural landscapes.

Europe features prominently in campaign

Europe represents one of the largest components of Air Arabia’s promotional offering.

The airline is advertising services from Sharjah to Rome, Athens, Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Milan-Bergamo, Krakow, Munich and London Gatwick.

Selected one-way fares include Rome from Dhs849, Athens from Dhs866, and Vienna, Prague and Warsaw from Dhs999.

Flights to Milan-Bergamo are displayed from Dhs1,027, Krakow from Dhs1,047, Munich from Dhs1,120 and London Gatwick from Dhs1,180.

The destination mix reflects a balance between popular leisure markets and important commercial centres, enabling the airline to appeal to tourists, corporate travellers and passengers visiting family and friends across Europe.

Central Asia and leisure markets expand choice

Air Arabia is also placing considerable emphasis on growing demand for Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Promotional fares include Baku from Dhs665, Yerevan from Dhs673, Tbilisi from Dhs735, Tashkent from Dhs798 and Almaty from Dhs923.

These destinations have become increasingly popular among UAE travellers due to relatively short flight times and a combination of cultural attractions, urban experiences and outdoor tourism opportunities.

The campaign also extends into several established leisure markets beyond Europe.

Customers can book Colombo from Dhs580, Istanbul Airport from Dhs700, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport from Dhs736, Trabzon from Dhs812 and Malé in the Maldives from Dhs880.

For travellers planning longer international holidays, Bangkok is available from Dhs1,099, Kuala Lumpur from Dhs1,149 and Phuket from Dhs1,150.

The breadth of destinations enables Air Arabia to serve a wide range of customer segments, from budget-conscious regional travellers to families and holidaymakers planning longer overseas vacations.

Booking flexibility remains key

Air Arabia’s campaign page allows customers to search flights by departure point, destination, travel date and passenger numbers while comparing fares across different travel options.

The airline notes, however, that displayed prices were collected during the preceding 48 hours and may no longer be available when customers complete their booking.

As with most airline promotions, fares remain subject to availability, changing demand and selected travel dates. Optional products and ancillary services may also increase the final booking cost depending on each traveller’s individual requirements.