Madinah will be served three times weekly from Abu Dhabi using a modern two-class Airbus A321.

Madinah will be served three times weekly from Abu Dhabi using a modern two-class Airbus A321.

Fatma Al Mehairi, Vice President Sales UAE at Etihad Airways, said, "We look forward to reconnecting Abu Dhabi with Madinah, a city of enormous historic and religious significance for Muslims around the world. Our flights will support the growing demand for religious travel and strengthen the existing air links between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, a key travel market for Etihad Airways."

Emirates increases flight capacity to Australia

The announcement comes following Australia's decision to re-open its borders to international travellers from Nov.2, with New South Wales and Victoria allowing vaccinated travellers to return without quarantine, after an increase in vaccination rates in both states.

With easing of travel restrictions, Emirates will step up the frequency on flights EK414/415 between Dubai and Sydney to daily from 2nd November, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.

Flights to Melbourne will operate as a four-weekly service as EK408/409, with the potential to increase in line with demand.

The capacity on flights to Sydney and Melbourne will return to 100 percent in a positive sign that the recovery is well underway for Australia, allowing 354 passengers across all cabins to travel on its flights.

Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members will be able to enjoy unrestricted travel once again to and from the two points for the first time since the pandemic began, whether travelling abroad to global destinations for leisure or finally travelling home to visit family or friends, as long as they are vaccinated against COVID-19 with a TGA-approved vaccine.

Emirates' flagship A380 aircraft will also return to the Australian skies from 1st December, serving the Dubai-Sydney route, on a daily basis.