Etihad Airways announces significant expansion of its Africa network

ABU DHABI, 17th April, 2026 (WAM) — Etihad Airways today announced a significant expansion of its Africa network, adding new routes to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe from Abu Dhabi, as part of its continued global growth strategy.

The new services reflect investment in high-growth markets, supporting increasing connectivity across trade, cargo and mobility.

The expansion builds directly on Etihad’s recently announced China growth, including increased frequencies and a deepened partnership with China Eastern Airlines. Together, these developments position Abu Dhabi as a key gateway between Africa, India and Asia, enabling more efficient movement of goods, investment and people between two of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

It also aligns with growing economic ties between the UAE and Africa, with increasing trade, investment and commercial partnerships across sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining and logistics. Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its role in enabling these flows, supporting deeper economic engagement between the regions.

In parallel, it also complements Etihad’s strategic joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines, which this month marked 80 years of operations, further strengthening connectivity across the African continent.

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said, “Africa is a natural and compelling next step in Etihad’s network expansion. These are markets with strong underlying demand, driven by trade, investment and population growth. Our role is to provide the connectivity that enables that growth.

“Demand for air connectivity across key African markets is outpacing existing supply, particularly in cargo and trade-linked sectors. This expansion is a direct response to that structural opportunity.

“By extending our network alongside our recent China expansion, we are enabling a more efficient corridor linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia through Abu Dhabi. For passengers, this creates simpler, faster journeys. For cargo, it provides more direct and reliable access between two regions where trade is growing rapidly.”

The new services will provide direct links between African markets and Abu Dhabi, while enabling one-stop connections to China, India, across Asia and throughout the Middle East.