8 New Middle East Flights to Boost Global Travel – Book Now for 2025

Published on November 29, 2025

Middle East Airlines Announce 8 New Direct Flights this December

As the travel industry continues its recovery, Middle Eastern airlines are making significant strides by launching several new routes and increasing frequencies across popular destinations this December 2025. Airlines from the region are expanding their networks, boosting global connectivity and responding to growing demand for international travel. Notable announcements include new services from Thai AirAsia X, SalamAir, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Air Arabia, along with increased frequencies on existing routes, making the Middle East an even more connected hub for global travel.

1. Thai AirAsia X: Riyadh to Bangkok

Starting December 2, 2025, Thai AirAsia X will launch its first-ever direct flight between Riyadh and Bangkok, opening up new opportunities for travelers between the two major cities. The four-weekly flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, reducing the travel time between the two cities to just seven and a half hours. With departure times from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the service promises to cater to both business and leisure travelers alike. This new route will enhance tourism and business exchanges between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, two countries with growing cultural and economic ties.

2. SalamAir: Muscat to Abha

SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost carrier, will start a direct service to Abha, located in the scenic Aseer region of Saudi Arabia, beginning December 16, 2025. This service will operate four times weekly, offering more accessible travel options to the mountainous southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. With flights on Fridays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, the new route will help promote tourism in Abha, which is known for its cooler climates, natural beauty, and historical significance. The new route is expected to enhance connectivity and encourage further tourism development in the area.

3. Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabi to Kabul

In a significant move, Etihad Airways will begin operating flights between Abu Dhabi and Kabul, Afghanistan, starting December 18, 2025. The new route will run three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. With this service, Etihad is helping to connect Afghanistan with the UAE, offering a vital link for both travelers and humanitarian aid. The flights will provide much-needed access to Kabul, supporting regional connectivity and economic exchanges in a country that is slowly rebuilding and recovering from decades of conflict.

4. Qatar Airways: Doha to Lagos and Kuala Lumpur

Qatar Airways will significantly increase its services between Doha and Lagos, Nigeria, starting December 15, 2025. The number of weekly flights will rise from 10 to 14, responding to rising demand for travel between the two cities. Just days later, Qatar Airways will also increase its Doha-Kuala Lumpur frequency from 14 to 17 weekly flights. These expanded services reflect the airline’s continued efforts to strengthen its global network and meet the growing demand for travel to Africa and Southeast Asia, two regions with expanding business opportunities and tourism potential.

5. Emirates: Dubai to Cairo

Emirates has announced it will introduce six additional weekly flights to Cairo, Egypt, beginning December 1, 2025. These extra flights will increase services to five daily flights by February 2026. The move is a response to the growing demand for travel between Dubai and Cairo, two of the most popular hubs for business and tourism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With a focus on enhancing tourism exchanges and increasing regional connectivity, Emirates is helping to strengthen the already bustling tourism sector in Egypt.

6. Eurowings: Dubai to Düsseldorf

On December 13, 2025, Eurowings will launch direct flights from Dubai to Düsseldorf, Germany. The service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This new route marks a significant expansion for Eurowings in the Middle East, connecting Germany’s financial and industrial hub with one of the most important cities in the Gulf. The route will offer convenient flight times and affordable fares for both business travelers and leisure tourists, boosting travel between Dubai and Germany.

7. Air Arabia: Sharjah to Munich

Air Arabia is continuing to expand its reach in Europe by introducing a new daily route between Sharjah and Munich, starting December 15, 2025. This will be Air Arabia’s first direct service to Germany, offering both business and leisure travelers convenient access to Munich, a major cultural and economic center in Europe. The flights will run multiple times a week, with departures from Sharjah in the evening and returns from Munich in the morning, catering to the needs of both regional and long-haul passengers.

8. Austrian Airlines: Dubai to Vienna

Austrian Airlines will debut direct flights between Vienna and Dubai starting December 1, 2025. Operating five times a week, this seasonal route is designed to cater to the high demand for travel between the UAE and Austria, especially during the holiday season. With increasing interest in both tourism and business exchanges between the two countries, the new service will help foster greater cultural and economic ties between Vienna and Dubai, key cities in Europe and the Middle East.

Why These New Routes Matter for Travelers and the Industry

These new direct flights are a welcome development for both travelers and the aviation industry. For tourism, they represent enhanced accessibility to new destinations and improved connectivity between the Gulf and the world. Whether it’s for leisure, business, or cultural exchange, these routes open up new travel opportunities for millions of passengers. Additionally, with increasing tourism demand in the Middle East and beyond, airlines are responding by expanding their networks and services to meet the needs of modern travelers.

For the aviation industry, these routes symbolize the resilience of the Middle Eastern carriers in a post-pandemic world. The competitive nature of these airlines in offering affordable, efficient, and high-quality services sets the stage for an even more interconnected global travel network in the coming years.