The increased frequency will offer travellers more flexibility and convenience, supporting both business and leisure travel between Kenya and the UAE
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is set to double its flights to Nairobi, Kenya. This significant move will mark a major milestone in its ambitious African expansion.
In a press statement, Etihad says that starting December 15, 2025, the carrier will increase its Nairobi service to 14 weekly flights, less than a year after resuming operations to the Kenyan capital.
The statement adds that this move underscores the growing demand for air connectivity between East Africa and the Middle East, and cements Nairobi’s role as a vital business and tourism hub.
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“At Etihad, we have long recognised the need to strengthen our presence in Africa. Over the past year, we have been focussing on a holistic approach that enhances our presence by expanding our fleet, increasing frequencies, and forming key partnerships,” says Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer.
Arik De
“We are encouraged by the positive early results and are pleased to announce the expansion of our Nairobi service to 14 weekly flights, as well as the increase of our Seychelles service to six weekly flights in partnership with Air Seychelles. We are also introducing daily 787 services to Casablanca and Johannesburg,” De adds.
Etihad adds that the increased frequency will offer travellers more flexibility and convenience, supporting both business and leisure travel between Kenya and the UAE.
Additionally, the expanded Nairobi schedule is part of Etihad’s broader strategy to strengthen its African footprint. By late 2025, the airline will serve eight African cities with 57 weekly flights, up from 39 flights to four cities just a year earlier.
According to the statement, new routes to Addis Ababa, Tunis, Algiers, and Al Alamein are also set to launch, while frequencies to Johannesburg, Casablanca, and the Seychelles will rise significantly.
“Together with Air Seychelles and our groundbreaking relationship with Ethiopian Airlines, these strategic partnerships form a key foundation as we add four new direct routes to Africa from Abu Dhabi this year, underlining our growing commitment to service the dynamic continent,” says De.
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