Etihad Airways is gearing up to double its Africa network over the next year, announcing three new routes in the past two months and adding more destinations and frequencies to its services.
Currently, Etihad Airways serves four destinations across Africa including Johannesburg, South Africa; Cairo, Egypt; Mahe, Seychelles; and Casablanca, Morocco. On December 15, the airline will resume flights to Nairobi, Kenya, and next year will launch new routes to Tunis, Tunisia; Algiers, Algeria; and Al Alamein, Egypt.
“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,” stated Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer.
57 frequencies a week to eight cities
Currently, the airline serves four cities with 39 frequencies a week. By next summer, this will increase to 50 frequencies a week in six cities, and by this time next year, Etihad Airways will reach 57 frequencies a week in eight cities across Africa.
“And we are not stopping there. We recently announced ten new global destinations, including Tunis and Algiers, and plan to announce at least ten more each year as we grow towards 2030. These will include new cities in Africa, and our goal is to make all of these flights daily. We are growing sustainably and offering our customers across Africa the flights and frequencies that make sense to them and fit with our global network,” added De.
The 10 routes will complement Etihad Airways’ previously revealed new destinations for 2025: Prague, Warsaw, and Al Alamein. Etihad’s expansion will bring tens of thousands of new visitors directly to Abu Dhabi, boosting its position as a premier destination for leisure, business, and cultural tourism. The move also aligns with the UAE capital’s efforts to attract international travelers and reinforces its reputation as a hub of connectivity, innovation, and hospitality.
Codeshare and interline partnerships
Etihad Airways also enhances connectivity across Africa through its codeshare and interline partnerships with several African airlines, including Airlink South Africa, Air Seychelles, Royal Air Maroc, and EgyptAir. These partnerships allow the carrier to offer more convenient travel options and seamless connections for guests traveling to and from the continent.
As Etihad continues to expand its global network through its world-leading hub at Zayed International Airport, an increasing number of guests from Africa are taking advantage of the airline’s free stopover offer. In collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, travelers booking flights with Etihad Airways can easily add a stopover and enjoy a complimentary hotel stay for one or two nights at a selection of premier hotels across the city.
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Airline to bring over 1 million visitors to Abu Dhabi
Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s CEO, said that 2025 will mark a pivotal year for Etihad Airways, with more than 90 destinations in over 50 countries, and a fleet of more than 110 aircraft, including the new A321LRs, welcoming over 20 million guests onboard. Most importantly, the expansion will also support the airline in bringing over a million visitors to Abu Dhabi.
As the airline accelerates its growth, Etihad Guest, its award-winning loyalty program, will also expand its reach, offering more guests the opportunity to earn and redeem miles while unlocking exclusive benefits.
“Launching 10 new destinations in a single day underscores our unwavering commitment to growing our airline with a fantastic route network and world-class, customer-focused service. This incredible milestone would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of our team and the ongoing support of our guests,” Neves added.
