Prague launches direct route to Abu Dhabi boosting MICE links

Prague, known for its central location and coined ‘the heart of Europe’ has launched a new direct route between its Vaclav Havel Airport to Abu Dhabi through Etihad airlines. Launched on 2 June 2025, this development opens new opportunities for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) sector to host international events in Prague, leveraging the city’s rich cultural heritage and modern infrastructure.

Etihad Airways will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The new route will primarily benefit business travellers between the Middle East and Central Europe, MICE organisers and delegates seeking more direct access to Prague, tourists and leisure travellers from the Gulf region and Czech exporters and businesses with ties to the UAE and surrounding markets.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “With this new connection, we are building a bridge between two exceptional regions by connecting passengers from the Middle East to the heart of Europe. Passengers can also take advantage of connecting flights via Abu Dhabi to reach destinations in Asia, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Australia.”

With the new route, Prague will have the opportunity to compete more effectively for international conferences, especially from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners also carry cargo, which benefits companies involved in trade fairs, pop-ups, and exhibitions transporting event equipment or branded materials. Direct air freight between the two cities could streamline delivery timelines and costs.

Jiří Pos, chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, said: “The new connection to the new airport in Abu Dhabi is another success in our strategy of gradually expanding the range of long-haul flights.”

“It is in these segments that we see significant potential for the Czech Republic and local tourism,” František Reismüller, director of the Czech Tourism Board, CzechTourism, emphasised. According to CzechTourism data, over 379 thousand tourists from the Middle East travelled to the Czech Republic in 2024.