Photo Credit:Associated Press
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has launched a new flight route to Nairobi, Kenya, on December 15, 2024. This marks the airline’s 10 th new destination this year, further expanding its global network. The new service operates from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, connecting the UAE with Kenya’s vibrant capital.
That was a fully booked inaugural flight, showcasing the demand between the two regions. Etihad’s Chief Revenue Officer Arik De said this new route is an important addition in supporting Abu Dhabi as a world-leading aviation hub and Kenya as a tourism market. The Kenyan government has targets to welcome 5 million visitors over the coming years, with this new connection expected to be an important contributor toward this goal.
The Abu Dhabi-Nairobi service is operated by Airbus A320 aircraft four times weekly, offering both business and economy class seats. This route complements Etihad’s 2024 network expansion, which includes destinations like Bali, Boston, and Jaipur. Looking ahead to 2025, Etihad plans to add 13 more cities to its network, including Warsaw, Atlanta, and Hanoi.
The new route will link two cities famous for their contrasting attractions: Abu Dhabi-a combination of modern attractions along with its rich heritage-with its iconic landmarks such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi-while Nairobi, nicknamed “Green City in the Sun,” combines commerce with nature, boasting wonders like the Nairobi National Park, home to a wide diversity of wild animals.
This route has been inaugurated at a time when the tourism sector in Kenya was growing strongly. The inauguration of this new connection will drive tourism and strengthen commercial relations between the UAE and Kenya as the number of visitors reaches to 5 million in recent years.
These are part of Etihad’s expansion effort, while continuing to enhance its global reach and offer a wider choice to passengers. Indeed, the commitment to innovation and excellence in aviation by this airline can be seen through its ceaseless effort in the expansion of its network to ensure an experience that has continuously been improved upon for its customers.
In addition, the introduction of Nairobi into the schedule of Etihad will not only enhance business and tourism. It will also allow easy access to international tourists, coming to see Kenya’s wildlife destinations and cultural heritage sites, and further enhance the current growing business exchanges between the Middle East and East Africa, with the eventual effect of ensuring economic growth and collaboration in these regions.
In the end, the new Abu Dhabi-Nairobi route is a demonstration of Etihad Airways’ commitment to connecting people and places across the globe. The new service will not only contribute to the development of the tourism markets of both regions but also bring the UAE and Kenya closer in cultural and commercial respects. As Etihad keeps on expanding its horizons, passengers can look forward to more exciting destinations and enhanced travel experiences in the near future.
