Etihad Airways is set to triple its weekly flights between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi from four to 14 by December 15, 2025, a major milestone in its African expansion strategy.
The announcement, made on August 21 in Nairobi, positions Etihad as the airline with the highest frequency to any single African destination.
“This market is incredibly important to Etihad,” said Javier Alija, Vice President of Global Sales and Distribution. “The strong demand confirms our decision to significantly increase capacity on this route.”
Rapid Growth and Strategic Importance
The Nairobi route, relaunched in December 2024 after a five-year suspension, has seen exceptional performance, with load factors exceeding 90% in Q3 2025. Etihad will first increase flights to eight per week in October before reaching double-daily service in mid-December.
“To go from launch to double daily frequency in just one year is unprecedented for us,” Alija added. “It is a testament to the strength and diversity of the Kenyan market.”
The expanded schedule will add over 1,600 seats weekly, bringing total capacity to more than 2,200 seats. The route will continue to be served by Airbus A320 aircraft, with future upgrades planned using Etihad’s new fuel-efficient A321XLR.
Connecting Kenya to the World
Etihad’s Nairobi service enhances connectivity via its Abu Dhabi hub, linking East Africa to over 80 global destinations, including London, Paris, and Mumbai. “Abu Dhabi is not the final destination for many of our passengers, but a gateway,” Alija explained.
While cargo capacity remains limited due to narrow-body aircraft, demand for Kenyan exports is strong. The airline also sees growing outbound travel from Kenya’s expanding middle class, driven by both leisure and business needs.
Africa-Wide Expansion and Partnerships
The Nairobi expansion is part of Etihad’s broader push across Africa. The airline has announced strategic partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines and Air Seychelles, enabling cargo and code-share arrangements that boost tourism and trade.
Etihad will launch daily flights to Abu Dhabi with Ethiopian Airlines starting October 8, 2025. Additional routes include Tunis (three weekly flights from November 1) and Algiers (four weekly flights from November 7). Casablanca and Johannesburg will also see daily Boeing 787 services.
“At Etihad, we have long recognised the need to strengthen our presence in Africa,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer. “We’re encouraged by the positive early results and are pleased to announce the expansion of our Nairobi service… These strategic partnerships form a key foundation as we add four new direct routes to Africa from Abu Dhabi this year.”
