Etihad Airways expands Africa network with new routes

Etihad Airways has announced an expansion of its Africa network, adding new routes from Abu Dhabi to destinations across the continent, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

The new services are part of the airline’s ongoing network development, aimed at improving connectivity across trade, cargo and passenger movement between Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The expansion follows the airline’s recent increase in services to China and its partnership with China Eastern Airlines, positioning Abu Dhabi as a transit point linking Africa, India and Asia. It also complements Etihad’s collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines, supporting wider connectivity across the African continent.

Africa network growth supports trade and connectivity

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the expansion responds to increasing demand for air connectivity across African markets, particularly in trade and cargo-linked sectors.

The new routes will provide direct links between African cities and Abu Dhabi, while enabling one-stop connections to India, China, Asia and the Middle East. This supports sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure, where efficient logistics and connectivity are essential.

Zayed International Airport will serve as a central hub for these connections, supporting passenger transfers and cargo movement across Etihad’s network. The airline’s cargo division will offer freight capacity on all routes, aligned with the trade needs of each market.

New route summary