Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, based major global airline Etihad Airways has announced that it is to introduce a new route from its home base, to Nairobi, Kenya, with effect from December 15. This new service will be operated four times a week and will be flown using one of the carrier’s Airbus A320 single-aisle airliners.

Further, the airline’s cargo and logistics arm, Etihad Cargo, announced that the belly-hold cargo capacity of the A320s operating the new Nairobi route would form a part of a notable expansion in its global belly hold cargo capacity, as a result of its new schedule for the upcoming northern winter season. Airliner belly hold capacity will be offered on 880 passenger flights a week, from next month. This number will rise to more than 900 a week by March next year.

“Etihad Cargo’s customers are at the core of its operations,” affirmed Etihad VP: Cargo Stanislas Brun. “This expanded schedule offers more access to the airline’s global network, with increased flight frequencies and a new destination providing more capacity and flexibility for cargo transport. Whether moving goods between continents or ensuring quick connections, Etihad Cargo is dedicated to supporting its customers with reliable and efficient services.”

The airline is boosting belly hold cargo capacity across most of its operating regions: South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Levant, Europe and the Americas. Thus, Etihad will add 36 flights a week to Europe. In Southeast Asia, the number of weekly flights to Thailand will be increased by nine. In the US, flights to Boston will be increased from four a week to one a day. And in South Asia, the carrier will increase the number of widebody flights to Bengaluru, India, from two a week to three a week, while the number of such flights to Hyderabad, also in India, will rise from nine a week to 11 a week.

“The expanded winter schedule will boost trade between Abu Dhabi and key global markets, supporting industries reliant on fast, reliable cargo transportation services,” highlighted Etihad Cargo, in its announcement. “Etihad Cargo’s customers will also benefit from additional capacity in summer 2025, with 41 extra flights per week to Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.”