Etihad Airways has announced a significant expansion of its flight schedule to Nairobi, Kenya, in a move that will more than triple its service on the route. The airline will increase its weekly flights from the current four to 14 by December 15, 2025. This will create a double-daily service and add over 1,600 seats per week, bringing the total weekly capacity to more than 2,200 seats.
This expansion is part of Etihad Airways’ broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Africa, and it underscores the airline’s confidence in the Kenyan market. The move comes less than a year after Etihad relaunched its Nairobi-Abu Dhabi service, which had been suspended for five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re here in Nairobi to underscore how important this market is to Etihad. We’ve continued to see strong demand that validates our decision to significantly increase capacity on this route to double daily service,” Javier Alija, Vice President of Global Sales & Distribution.
This increase in flight frequency is poised to have a substantial positive impact on Kenya’s aviation sector. It will significantly boost connectivity, providing travelers with more convenient access to destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East via Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi. The expanded service will also enhance Kenya’s tourism industry by making it easier for international tourists to visit the country’s attractions.
Furthermore, the capacity increase is seen by industry experts as a strong vote of confidence in Kenya’s potential as a regional and global travel hub, which could attract further investment. The expanded service will also facilitate stronger trade and business ties between Kenya and the UAE by offering more options for business travelers.
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