Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi will provide eligible international visitors with complimentary medical coverage, strengthening the emirate’s appeal as a tourism and stopover destination.
Etihad Airways has partnered with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to introduce complimentary medical travel insurance for eligible international visitors travelling to the UAE capital.
The new initiative will run from July to December 2026. It will provide visitors with up to 15 days of medical coverage during their stay in Abu Dhabi. The move forms part of a broader effort to make travel to the emirate simpler, more seamless, and more reassuring for international guests.
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Etihad adds medical coverage to eligible bookings
Under the programme, eligible travellers flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad-operated flights will automatically receive medical coverage. Visitors do not need to complete additional paperwork or submit a separate application. The offer applies to travellers whose journey originates outside the UAE and whose ticket is purchased outside the country. It also extends to visitors using Etihad’s Stopover Programme, which encourages travellers to spend additional time exploring Abu Dhabi before continuing their journey. By embedding coverage directly into the booking process, Etihad removes an extra planning step and gives travellers greater peace of mind before departure.
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth
The launch arrives as Abu Dhabi continues to expand its tourism offering and attract a wider international audience. The emirate has invested heavily in cultural attractions, luxury hospitality, entertainment districts, and major events. At the same time, Etihad has increased efforts to position Abu Dhabi as both a destination and a stopover hub. The new insurance programme supports that strategy. It adds value to the visitor experience while reinforcing the destination’s commitment to traveller wellbeing. Tourism authorities believe initiatives like these can help reduce travel concerns and encourage more visitors to explore the emirate.
Travel confidence becomes a priority
Airlines and destinations increasingly recognise that travellers want more than flights and accommodation. They also want convenience, flexibility, and reassurance throughout the journey. As a result, travel protection has become an increasingly important part of the overall travel experience. Rather than asking visitors to arrange separate coverage, Etihad has chosen to integrate medical protection into the booking itself. The move reflects a wider trend across the travel industry, where brands are looking for practical ways to improve customer confidence and remove friction from the travel process.
Strengthening the stopover experience
The initiative also supports Etihad’s growing stopover strategy. Abu Dhabi continues to attract travellers looking to extend a layover into a short city break. With world-class museums, luxury resorts, cultural attractions, beaches, and entertainment venues, the emirate offers plenty of reasons to stay longer. By including complimentary medical coverage, Etihad hopes to make that decision even easier. For visitors, the programme delivers additional reassurance. For Abu Dhabi, it creates another incentive for travellers to spend more time discovering the destination.
Key points
- Etihad has launched complimentary medical travel insurance for eligible visitors.
- The programme runs from July to December 2026.
- Travellers receive up to 15 days of medical coverage.
- Coverage is automatically included with eligible bookings.
- Etihad Stopover Programme visitors are also eligible.
