Abu Dhabi Airports announced the commencement of daily direct flights between Zayed International Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Airport operated by Condor beginning October 15, 2026. The year-round service employs Airbus A320neo aircraft on the roughly seven-hour route, marking the first regular non-stop connection between the two capitals. According to the Emirates News Agency, the addition forms part of ongoing efforts to broaden the airport’s European network and facilitate increased tourism and business exchanges. The flights depart from Terminal A at Zayed International Airport and arrive at Terminal 1 in Berlin.
The codeshare partnership between Condor and Etihad Airways enables passengers from Berlin to connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across the Middle East, Asia and Australia. In turn, Abu Dhabi travelers gain enhanced access to Condor’s European and leisure routes via Berlin. A statement distributed by the Emirates News Agency quoted Karsten Nuerland, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, saying the launch represents an important step in strengthening air connectivity between two vibrant, globally oriented capitals. Nuerland added that through the partnership with Condor and Etihad Airways the airport continues to expand its network of destinations.
Etihad Airways currently operates 35 flights per week to various cities in Germany with load factors averaging around 90 percent, according to figures shared by the carrier in September 2026. The partnership with Condor is anticipated to introduce between 12 and 14 additional weekly services across phases. Dr. Pierre Dominique Prum, Chief Commercial Officer at Condor Airlines, stated in the same announcement that the daily flights between Berlin and Abu Dhabi constitute a significant addition to the airline’s long-haul network. Prum noted that the codeshare with Etihad allows guests to benefit from direct flights and seamless onward connections.
Flight tracking information from multiple aviation databases confirms that Condor maintains the sole non-stop schedule on the Abu Dhabi-Berlin corridor with one daily departure in each direction. The distance between Zayed International Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Airport totals approximately 4,664 kilometers. Schedules indicate typical departures from Abu Dhabi around 02:20 local time, with consistent daily operations now in effect following the October launch. The route was initially added to planning in March 2025 before reaching full daily frequency.
Passenger traffic between Berlin and Gulf destinations including Abu Dhabi grew markedly in 2025, a review published by Berlin Brandenburg Airport found. The facility reported more than 174,000 passengers on routes to Abu Dhabi and Dubai that year, reflecting an increase of 113,200 from the prior period. Condor itself recorded the largest growth among airlines at the airport, carrying around 349,000 passengers in 2025. Overall traffic at Berlin Brandenburg rose 3.2 percent in December 2025 compared with the previous December, with 14,871 aircraft movements registered.
The development at Zayed International Airport aligns with broader expansion across Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector, which has prioritized new long-haul links to key European markets. Industry data shows the route adds to existing services while addressing demand for direct travel options between the regions. Both airports have noted the potential for the daily frequency to support sustained growth in bilateral exchanges throughout the year.
