Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, commented, “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.”
Nairobi
Etihad has announced that it will double its flights to Nairobi, Kenya, increasing to 14 weekly services starting 15 December 2025. The announcement comes less than a year since the airline resumed flights to the Kenyan capital, underlining the strength of the route.
Nairobi, a prominent East African business hub known as the ‘Green City in the Sun,’ seamlessly blends commercial prowess with natural beauty. The city uniquely hosts Nairobi National Park within its boundaries, offers a rich array of cultural attractions including museums and art galleries, and serves as a gateway to Kenya's world-famous wildlife destinations.
Growing footprint in Africa
This expansion follows the recent addition of Addis Ababa, following the signing of a landmark Joint Venture agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, set to transform connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The strategic partnership also includes a codeshare arrangement, further supporting both passenger travel and cargo services.
Additionally, Etihad and Air Seychelles will collaborate on the six flights per week between Abu Dhabi and Mahe starting May 2025. Etihad customers will also have access to exotic destinations such as Praslin and Mauritius via Air Seychelles direct service beyond Mahe. Under the codeshare agreement, travellers can look forward to a great flight experience with the same baggage allowance and a choice of complimentary food and drink, as well as inflight entertainment, with members of Etihad Guest earning miles on each flight.
These strategic partnerships strengthen Etihad’s commitment to Africa and is set to provide new levels of connectivity across key African markets.
By December of this year, Etihad will substantially grow its footprint in Africa with additional flights between Abu Dhabi and the continent compared to December 2024.
With these developments, Etihad continues to unlock opportunities across Africa, enabling more seamless connections between the continent and the world through Abu Dhabi.
