On November 2, 2025, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), officially inaugurated its scheduled direct route connecting the capital city of Hanoi, Vietnam, and Abu Dhabi, UAE. The inaugural flight, designated EY430, landed safely at Noi Bai International Airport.

This event marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the international flight route network at Noi Bai International Airport, reinforcing its role as the capital's strategic aviation gateway and meeting the growing demands for travel, trade, and tourism between Vietnam and the Middle East.

Noi Bai International Airport performs a water cannon salute to welcome Etihad Airways' first direct flight, EY430.

A formal welcoming ceremony for the inaugural flight was held at Noi Bai International Airport. Speaking at the event, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Deputy Director of Noi Bai International Airport, emphasized: "We are delighted to welcome the launch of Etihad Airways' direct flight route to Hanoi. Noi Bai International Airport is committed to close coordination and providing the most favorable conditions in infrastructure and services for the airline to operate this new route safely and effectively, thereby contributing to the promotion of comprehensive cooperation between our two nations."

A representative of Noi Bai International Airport presents congratulatory flowers to the flight crew.

The Hanoi - Abu Dhabi route will be operated by Etihad Airways with a frequency of 6 round-trip flights per week, utilizing the modern wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft features comfortable seating classes, including the award-winning Business Studio® and Economy Smart seats, complemented by an advanced entertainment system and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The inauguration of this direct route not only provides a convenient travel option for passengers but also serves as a vital bridge for commercial activities. This new service will enhance air freight capacity, offering significant support to Vietnam's rapidly growing export sectors, including high-tech goods, electronics, textiles, and agricultural products. From Abu Dhabi, both cargo and passengers can seamlessly connect to Etihad's global network, with destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and North America.

According to the planned schedule, the route will be operated 6 times per week. Flight EY430 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 09:05, arriving in Hanoi at 18:10 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The return flight, EY431, will depart from Hanoi at 20:00, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 00:35 the following morning on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Additionally, flight EY432 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 20:50, arriving in Hanoi at 05:55 the next morning on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Flight EY433 will depart from Hanoi at 07:40, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 12:15 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The official inauguration of the direct Hanoi - Abu Dhabi route by Etihad Airways reaffirms the appeal of the capital's aviation market and the operational capability, safety, and efficiency of Noi Bai International Airport.

Additional photos from the event:

News & photos:Noi Bai International Airport