Etihad Announces Plans To Expand Its Flight Frequency Across Africa With New Routes, Partnerships

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced plans to triple its flights on the Nairobi-Abu Dhabi route to 14, up from the usual four, starting December 15, 2025. This route had previously been suspended for five years due to the Covid pandemic. The airline will use an Airbus A320 aircraft for this route.

This move is part of a larger plan to expand across Africa, with two partnerships with continental airlines already announced. So far, Etihad has partnered with Ethiopian Airlines, the country’s national carrier, and with Air Seychelles. Both airlines will now benefit from cargo and code-share arrangements, boosting ground-handling of goods and fliers, as well as opening up tourism and business opportunities for all countries.

Other countries to benefit from Etihad’s African ventures are South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Algiers, and Egypt.

Etihad will kick off its arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines on October 8, 2025, with daily flights to Abu Dhabi. Flights to Tunis will start on November 1, 2025, at a frequency of three per week, and Algiers on November 7, at four times a week.

Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer,said in a statement: “At Etihad, we have long recognised the need to strengthen our presence in Africa. Over the past year, we have been focusing on a holistic approach that enhances our presence by expanding our fleet, increasing frequencies, and forming key partnerships.”

“We’re encouraged by the positive early results and are pleased to announce the expansion of our Nairobi service to 14 weekly flights, as well as the increase of our Seychelles service to six weekly flights in partnership with Air Seychelles. We’re also introducing daily 787 services to Casablanca and Johannesburg.”

“Together with Air Seychelles and our groundbreaking relationship with Ethiopian Airlines, these strategic partnerships form a key foundation as we add four new direct routes to Africa from Abu Dhabi this year, underlining our growing commitment to service the dynamic continent.”

Featured Image Courtesy Etihad.com