Etihad Airways has been expanding its footprint around the world aggressively (Photo: Etihad Airways)
With the commencement of direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi in Kenya, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has marked the introduction of 10th new destination on its network this year.
In a press statement, the airline says that operating through the state-of-the-art Zayed International Airport, the service creates a vital connection between the capital of the United Arab Emirates and one of Africa’s most dynamic cities.
“The introduction of our Nairobi service enhances our growing network while responding to strong travel demand between the UAE and Kenya, as demonstrated by today’s completely full inaugural flight. As both Abu Dhabi and Kenya experience remarkable tourism growth and set ambitious targets for the future, this route creates valuable opportunities for both destinations. The service strengthens the important ties between our regions, supporting Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation hub while providing enhanced access to Kenya’s thriving tourism market,” says Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways.
Arik De
The statement adds that the launch comes at a significant time for Kenya’s tourism sector. With visitor numbers expected to reach 3 million in 2024 and targets of 5 million visitors in the coming years, Kenya’s tourism industry is on a strong growth trajectory.
Etihad says that the Nairobi launch follows the successful introduction of services to Antalya, Bali, Boston, Jaipur, Kozhikode, Mykonos, Nice, Qassim, and Thiruvananthapuram in 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, Etihad will continue its expansion with 13 new destinations, namely Warsaw and Prague in June, Al Alamein and Atlanta in July, Taipei in September, Medan, Phnom Penh and Krabi in October, and Tunis, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Hanoi and Algiers in November.
The statement adds that its flight EY767 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 09:05 every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, reaching Nairobi at 13:30. On the return leg, flight EY768 will leave Nairobi every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, reaching Abu Dhabi at 00:20 the next day. The airline has deployed an Airbus A320 aircraft on the route.
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