Summary
- Etihad Airways is resuming flights to Nairobi, providing a direct connection from Abu Dhabi and offering access to East Africa's wildlife and culture.
- The restored route strengthens ties between Kenya and the UAE, promoting trade and business opportunities between the Middle East and East Africa.
It's time to dust off your safari hats and khaki cargo shorts; Etihad Airways is returning to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) next summer, giving Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) a direct connection to East Africa's breathtaking wildlife and rich culture.
Fresh routes on the market
Launching May 1, 2024, the restored route will see Etihad offer daily flights between the two cities through the summer season, adding improved connectivity to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America from Nairobi via Etihad's hub in Abu Dhabi, as well as strengthening tourism into Kenya from the UAE.
Announced on Thursday, the route comes as Kenya and the UAE look to bolster their respective cultural and economic ties, with the connection to support trade and business opportunities between the Middle East and East Africa.
In a statement, Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves highlighted the boost in tourism for both Abu Dhabi and Nairobi, explaining,
"We are thrilled to be re-starting flights to Nairobi, a dynamic and exciting city in itself and also the gateway to a Kenyan safari, a dream adventure for many travellers, offering a view of the diverse and magnificent wildlife of Africa. Equally, we will be delighted to welcome guests from Kenya to our extraordinary home as well as offering them access to our growing global network.”
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The route will be operated daily by Etihad's Airbus A320 fleet, offering 136 seats across economy and business class. Etihad last offered a regular schedule between the two cities in 2021, utilizing its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet on a bi-weekly schedule; however, the shift to daily operations will offer the comprehensive and accessible travel options required to support cross-business travel and trade.
|
Route |
Flight Number |
Departure |
Arrival |
|
Abu Dhabi (AUH) – Nairobi (NBO) |
EY 767 |
09:05 GST |
13:15 EAT |
|
Nairobi (NBO) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) |
EY 768 |
18:10 EAT |
00:20 GST (+1) |
Into Africa
Through the past 12 months, Etihad has notably strengthened its market share within Africa, ranging from its freighter expansions to codeshares with airlines to boost its network coverage.
Photo: Airbus
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In August, the carrier unveiled a new partnership with Turkish Airlines, adding connectivity to Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Douala International Airport (DLA) in Cameroon, and Chad's N'Djamena International Airport (NDJ) via Istanbul Airport (IST). All three routes operated by Turkish Airlines feature Etihad's EY code, streamlining the travel experience into West and Central Africa.
Other recent partnerships include an interline agreement with Airlink South Africa and codeshare with Air Seychelles, announced in March 2023. The interline deal with Airlink added a range of regional destinations across South Africa, adding onto its preexisting codeshare agreement with South Africa Airways, while Air Seychelles' link came as a re-connection following a system migration by the airline, improving connectivity to Mahe's Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) and Praslin Island Airport (PRI).
Chief Revenue Officer Arik De noted in a statement shared with Arabian Business,
“Our deal with Airlink South Africa gives connecting guests via our Johannesburg flight seamless access to 16 domestic destinations in South Africa, and 25 regional African destinations, and it complements our existing options with South African Airways.”
What are your thoughts on Etihad Airways' return to Nairobi? What other African destinations would you like to see the carrier add? Let us know in the comments.
Sources: Airspace Africa, Arabian Business
