14 weekly flights to Nairobi. Etihad. Photo: Shutterstock Etihad Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines and the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has unveiled a bold and far-reaching strategic expansion across the African continent. The plan includes increased flight frequencies, the launch of new routes, and the deepening of key regional partnerships.
Underscoring the rising demand for air connectivity between Africa, the Gulf, and Asia, Etihad announced it will double its service to Nairobi, Kenya, increasing from seven to fourteen weekly flights—a significant upgrade less than a year after resuming the route.
Photo: ShutterstockAlongside this, the airline is adding six new direct routes to major destinations across the continent: Addis Ababa, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Tunis, Algiers, and El-Alamein – all expected to commence by the end of 2025.
The strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines includes a code-sharing agreement, connecting their fleets, and deepening cooperation in the cargo sector.
Additionally, Etihad and Air Seychelles will jointly operate six weekly routes to Seychelles, including connection options to exotic destinations like Mauritius and the island of Praslin in Seychelles – with all services offered under common conditions, including baggage, meals, and mileage accrual.
According to Etihad's VP of Revenue and Commerce, Arik De, this is a move that positions the airline in a key position on the continent: "We see Africa as a future growth engine and are committed to enhancing our presence through expanding flight fleets, increasing frequencies, and long-term collaborations. It’s about building a global air bridge that connects continents".
By the end of 2025, Etihad is expected to have an unprecedented presence in the African market – leveraging Abu Dhabi's position as a global transport hub linking Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
The new "Russian" routes are part of the extensive network growth of Etihad Airways in 2025, which includes new destinations across Asia, North America, and North Africa.
This major expansion will further strengthen the airline's global presence.
It is noteworthy that Etihad has revealed a series of new destinations for 2025 that it will fly to this year, including:
Atlanta, USA: 4 times a week, starting July 2, 2025
Taipei, Taiwan: 7 times a week, starting September 7, 2025
Medan, Indonesia: 3 times a week, starting October 2, 2025
Phnom Penh, Cambodia: 5 times a week, starting October 3, 2025
Krabi, Thailand: 7 times a week, starting October 9, 2025
Tunis, Tunisia: 3 times a week, starting November 1, 2025
Chiang Mai, Thailand: 4 times a week, starting November 3, 2025
Hong Kong, China: 5 times a week, starting November 3, 2025
Hanoi, Vietnam: 6 times a week, starting November 3, 2025
Algiers, Algeria: 4 times a week, starting November 7, 2025
By the end of 2025, Etihad will offer direct flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to 93 different airports around the world.
