Etihad Airways has resumed flights to Nairobi.
In a statement, the Kenya Airport Authority noted that the move enhances connectivity between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kenya.
“We are thrilled as Etihad officially resumes flights to Nairobi, enhancing connectivity between the UAE and Kenya,” the statement read in part.
The inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi was warmly welcomed at JKIA today by KAA Board Chair Caleb Kositany.
KAA noted that the resumption marked a significant milestone in the aviation landscape.
The resumption was first announced in August 2024, taking effect today, December 15.
Then, Etihad’s Vice President Network and Scheduling Lena Havia lauded the UAE and Kenyan authorities for authorisation to resume flights.
The airline will fly four times a week non-stop between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
Etihad Airways is set to double its routes to Africa over the next year, further committing to serving its guests.
Etihad was serving four African destinations including Johannesburg, South Africa; Cairo, Egypt; Mahe, Seychelles; and Casablanca, Morocco.
Starting December 15, the airline has resumed flights to Nairobi, Kenya, and next year will launch new routes to Tunis, Tunisia; Algiers, Algeria; and Al Alamein, Egypt.
In November, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said they are committed to growing their network in Africa and doubling destinations over 2025.
“We are expanding our frequencies, including boosting both Johannesburg and Casablanca to daily services from next summer,” he said.
“This expansion will connect our guests across the continent with our growing network and bring them to our fantastic home in Abu Dhabi”.
Arik De said the airline will keep on expanding, even to a global level.
“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,” he said.
“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.”