Since launching the route in 2005, Etihad has carried almost 2 million passengers between the UAE and South Africa, helping strengthen cultural, business, and tourism links between the two nations. In 2025 alone, Etihad carried more than 100,000 guests on the route.
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Today, Etihad’s services to Johannesburg provide non-stop access to the capital of the UAE as well as seamless onward connectivity to the Middle East, Europe, North America, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia Pacific via Zayed International Airport. Beyond Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg travellers continue onward to key destinations such as Jeddah, Istanbul, Mumbai, Bangkok and Phuket, underscoring the route’s role as a vital gateway to Etihad’s global network. The route is further strengthened by Etihad’s expanding partnerships across Southern Africa, enabling smoother connections across the region.
Johannesburg’s 20-year milestone comes at a time when Africa is strengthening Etihad’s global network growth. The continent continues to demonstrate strong and resilient travel demand, supported by a rapidly growing population of international travellers and deepening economic and cultural ties with the UAE.
Etihad’s recent network developments reflect this momentum. The airline has expanded its presence with new services launched in the past year to key African gateways including Tunis, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi. Established connections to destinations such as Casablanca and Cairo continue to perform strongly, benefitting from access to Etihad’s growing global network.
The airline’s strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines further enhances Etihad’s reach across Africa, offering guests improved connectivity to a broad range of destinations across the continent beyond Etihad’s own network.