Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates national carrier plans to double its African flight destinations in 2025 after it added two new destinations recently as part of its historic route network expansion, reports Simple Flying.
According to the report, operating from its hub at Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport, Etihad currently serves four African destinations: Johannesburg, South Africa; Casablanca, Morocco; Cairo, Egypt; and Mahé, Seychelles. Its network will grow to eight destinations over the next twelve months, boosting the airline’s presence in the African market.
While it is not a new route, the airline will start flying to Nairobi, Kenya, on December 15, 2024. Etihad announced in October 2023 that it would resume flights to Nairobi, operating a daily frequency from May 1, 2024. However, the flights were never launched. The programme is set to start this month, operating four times a week.
The airline has also unveiled three new African destinations over the last two months. In October, Etihad announced that it would launch flights from Abu Dhabi to El Alamein, its second destination in Egypt. The non-stop route will start on July 17, 2025, operating twice a week with the Airbus A320.
The other two other African cities were announced last week as part of a historic network expansion, which saw ten new routes unveiled in a single day. Among them is Tunis, Tunisia, which will start on November 1, 2025, operating three times a week with the Airbus A321LR. The other destination is Algiers, Algeria, which will start on November 7 and operate four times a week with the A321LR.
Enhanced connectivity in Africa
With four cities served, Etihad currently offers 39 weekly flights to Africa. This will increase to 50 weekly by next summer and 57 by November 2025. The airline will also increase frequencies to Johannesburg and Casablanca, which are among the continent’s busiest airports. Speaking about the expansion, Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, said:
“As we prepare to return to Nairobi, Kenya next month, we are committed to growing our network in Africa and doubling our destinations over the next year. We are expanding our frequencies, including boosting both Johannesburg and Casablanca to daily services from next summer. This expansion will connect our guests across the continent with our growing network and bring them to our fantastic home in Abu Dhabi.”
Etihad will also serve Africa with a wide range of modern aircraft, including the Airbus A321LR and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline plans to add ten new destinations each year as it grows towards 2030. This will include new cities in Africa, with the goal of making all its flights daily.
The airline also benefits from codeshare and interline agreements with several major carriers on the continent, including Airlink, Air Seychelles, Egyptair, and Royal Air Maroc. These agreements allow passengers to enjoy broader travel options and seamless connections within the continent.
Ten new destinations on the horizon
Over the last few years, Africa has seen significant growth in international travelers, with increased connectivity at the continent’s major airports. Etihad has been flying to Africa for about 20 years and is steadily growing its presence on the continent. As part of the network expansion, Etihad will also launch flights to the following destinations:
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Atlanta, USA
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Hanoi, Vietnam
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Hong Kong
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Krabi, Thailand
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Medan, Indonesia
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Taipei, Taiwan
The expansion is expected to bring tens of thousands of new visitors to Abu Dhabi, enhancing its appeal as a leisure, business, and cultural tourism destination. The ten routes complement the previously announced routes for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and El Alamein.
