Etihad Airways launched a new nonstop route from Abu Dhabi to Charlotte Douglas International Airport—the first-ever direct flight from Charlotte to the Middle East. The route is Etihad’s sixth non-stop flight route to the US, joining New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, Boston and Atlanta. The new service connects Abu Dhabi with a rising American financial and cultural hub in North Carolina.

Why This Matters

The new route, supported by American aviation technology, joins a robust network of nonstop flights between the US and UAE, creating more opportunities to connect and deepen economic ties. As an international aviation hub, the UAE operates fleets of hundreds of US-manufactured aircraft and serves as a vital gateway for Americans traveling to the Middle East, Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Despite recent regional tensions, the UAE has maintained secure air corridors to continue flights to and from the country. Between March 1 and 12, UAE airlines operated at 44.6% of normal levels, carrying over 1.4 million passengers as operations gradually return to full capacity.