ABU DHABI, UAE / MENA Newswire / – Etihad Airways and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi have launched complimentary medical travel insurance for international visitors flying to or through Abu Dhabi. The cover applies to eligible guests travelling on Etihad operated flights from July through December 2026. The programme adds medical insurance to qualifying tickets at no extra cost. It applies for up to 15 days in the UAE.
The insurance covers eligible visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi on Etihad operated services. Guests must start their journey outside the UAE and buy their ticket outside the UAE to qualify. Etihad says no formal application is required. The cover comes with every qualifying ticket, subject to terms and conditions. Travellers using the airline’s complimentary Stopover Programme also qualify during their stay in Abu Dhabi.
The National Insurance Company Daman underwrites and administers the policy. Daman is part of PureHealth and serves as one of the UAE’s major health insurers. The company said the cover connects visitors with a broad medical provider network in the country. The announcement did not list public benefit limits, deductibles, exclusions, or claims steps.
Automatic cover for eligible tickets
The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi said the programme forms part of its work to improve the visitor journey. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said global interest in the emirate continues to grow. He said the partnership with Etihad would support an end to end visitor experience from booking.
Etihad Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said the programme adds comprehensive medical insurance to every eligible ticket. He said the airline aims to make travel to Abu Dhabi simpler for guests. Khaled Ateeq Aldhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of Daman, said the arrangement brings medical insurance into the travel journey and supports visitor wellbeing.
Visitor programme links travel and healthcare
The launch comes as Abu Dhabi expands its tourism and aviation links. The emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030 targets 39.3 million annual visitors by 2030. It also targets AED 90 billion in tourism contribution to GDP and 178,000 new jobs in the tourism ecosystem. The strategy includes visitor experience, market reach, transport links, licensing, and regulation among its pillars.
Abu Dhabi promotes cultural, leisure, and entertainment attractions across the emirate. These include Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Saadiyat Island, and Yas Island. The medical insurance offer applies to eligible Etihad passengers whether they visit Abu Dhabi as a main destination or stop there during a wider trip. The cover remains limited to the stated eligibility rules and policy terms.
