Etihad Airways Expands Its African Network: What It Means for Travellers

Etihad Airways is on a mission to make travel between Africa and the rest of the world even easier and more accessible. The UAE carrier is set to expand its African network significantly over the next few years, doubling its African destinations by late 2025. With new routes, increased frequencies, and strategic partnerships, this growth is set to open up even more exciting opportunities for travellers. Doubling Its African Destinations Currently, Etihad serves four African cities: Johannesburg (South Africa), Cairo (Egypt), Mahe (Seychelles), and Casablanca (Morocco). By late 2025, that number will grow to eight cities, with new routes launching in 2025 to Tunis (Tunisia), Algiers (Algeria), and Al Alamein (Egypt). In addition, Etihad will be boosting service to some of its key destinations, including Johannesburg and Casablanca, to daily flights, starting in the summer of 2025. This expansion will not only enhance Etihad’s presence on the African continent but also make it easier for travellers to connect with destinations around the world through the airline’s hub in Abu Dhabi. Increased Frequency for Key Routes Etihad is also increasing the frequency of flights to its existing African routes. Currently, Etihad offers 39 weekly frequencies to four African cities. By next summer, that number will rise to 50 weekly flights to six cities, and by the end of 2025, the airline aims to reach 57 weekly frequencies across eight cities in Africa. This increase in flight options will give passengers more flexibility when planning their trips, making it easier to connect between Africa, the Middle East, and other global destinations. Strategic Partnerships to Improve Connectivity Etihad has also strengthened its connectivity through codeshare and interline agreements with a number of African airlines, including Airlink (South Africa), Air Seychelles, Royal Air Maroc (Morocco), and EgyptAir. These partnerships allow passengers to enjoy more seamless travel, with convenient connections and greater flexibility when traveling between Africa and Etihad’s expanding global network. A Focus on Sustainable Growth As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, Etihad is aiming for even more destinations, with plans to add at least ten new routes each year, including more cities in Africa. The goal is for these routes to eventually offer daily flights, making it easier for travellers to access more of the world via Etihad. Additionally, Etihad’s world-leading hub at Zayed International Airport is playing a key role in this expansion. As the airline continues to grow, travellers from African cities are increasingly taking advantage of the airline’s popular free stopover offer, which gives them the chance to explore Abu Dhabi before continuing their journey. Why This Matters for You For travellers, this expansion means more options and better connectivity, whether you’re looking to explore Africa or need to make connections across the globe. Whether you’re heading to a bustling city like Casablanca, enjoying a peaceful beach retreat in Seychelles, or embarking on an exciting safari in South Africa, Etihad is making it easier to get there. As the airline continues to expand its network in Africa and beyond, it’s clear that Etihad is committed to offering travellers even more opportunities for seamless, sustainable travel. With new destinations, more frequent flights, and partnerships with top African carriers, 2025 is shaping up to be a year full of exciting travel options for those looking to explore the world.