Etihad Airways Celebrates 20 Years of Connecting Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg

Etihad Airways is marking a major milestone in Africa this December as the airline celebrates 20 years of flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Johannesburg. The city is one of its longest-standing gateways in Africa and a strategically important market within the airline’s rapidly growing global network.

20 Years of Abu Dhabi–Johannesburg Route
- Launch year: 2005
- Passengers carried: Nearly 2 million between UAE and South Africa since inception
- 2025 performance: Over 100,000 guests traveled on the route, showing sustained demand

Strategic Importance
- Johannesburg is one of Etihad’s longest-standing African gateways and a vital market in its global network.
- Provides nonstop access to Abu Dhabi and onward connectivity to:
- Middle East (e.g., Jeddah, Istanbul)
- Europe, North America
- Indian Subcontinent (e.g., Mumbai)
- Asia Pacific (e.g., Bangkok, Phuket)

Partnerships & Expansion
- Strengthened by regional partnerships across Southern Africa.
- Collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines expands reach across the continent.
- Recent new services launched to Tunis, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, while Casablanca and Cairo continue strong performance.

Corporate Travel Growth
- Corporate revenue on the Johannesburg route grew 50% year-on-year in 2025.
- Reflects strong UAE–South Africa economic ties and Abu Dhabi’s role as a global business hub.

Future Outlook
- Africa is a key pillar of Etihad’s Journey 2030 strategy.
- Plans to deepen presence with enhanced services, broader partnerships, and expanded network to meet rising demand.