UAE-South Africa travel: Etihad celebrates 20 years of linking Abu Dhabi with Johannesburg
Africa expansion aligns with the airline’s long-term network strategy
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways is marking two decades of operations on its Abu Dhabi-Johannesburg route, one of the airline’s longest-standing services in Africa and a key pillar of its international network.
Launched in 2005, the route has played a central role in strengthening links between the UAE and South Africa across tourism, trade and business travel. The milestone comes as Etihad continues to expand its footprint across the African continent.
Over the past 20 years, almost two million passengers have travelled between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg on Etihad flights. The airline reported that in 2025 alone, more than 100,000 guests used the route, underlining consistent demand and its ongoing relevance within Etihad’s global operations.
Network connectivity
Johannesburg remains a strategic gateway within Etihad’s African network, offering nonstop access to Abu Dhabi and onward connections through Zayed International Airport. Travellers flying from South Africa benefit from seamless links to destinations across the Middle East, Europe, North America, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia Pacific.
20 years of connecting Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg! ????✈️ Nearly 2 million guests flown since 2005, and we’re just getting started as Africa plays a bigger role in our global network.
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) January 7, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/XLsvpZ44hY pic.twitter.com/bfCyDHpJf9
Beyond Abu Dhabi, passengers from Johannesburg continue onwards to cities including Jeddah, Istanbul, Mumbai, Bangkok and Phuket. These connections reinforce the route’s role as a bridge between Southern Africa and Etihad’s wider network. The airline’s expanding partnerships across the region have also improved access to secondary destinations within Southern Africa, supporting smoother regional travel.
Market performance
The route continues to show strong performance across both leisure and corporate segments. Etihad reported a year-on-year increase of more than 50 per cent in corporate revenue on the Johannesburg service in 2025, reflecting growing business travel between the two countries.
Javier Alija, Vice President Global Sales and Distribution at Etihad Airways, said Johannesburg has been central to the airline’s African growth for two decades. He highlighted sustained passenger demand and corporate travel as indicators of the long-term relationship between the UAE and South Africa, as well as Etihad’s role in supporting trade and tourism flows.
Abu Dhabi’s rising profile as a global business hub has further supported corporate travel demand on the route, while South Africa continues to attract visitors from the Gulf region for leisure and commercial purposes.
Africa expansion
The 20-year milestone coincides with broader growth across Etihad’s African network. The airline has expanded services over the past year to destinations including Tunis, Addis Ababa and Nairobi, adding depth to its continental presence. Established routes to Casablanca and Cairo continue to perform strongly, benefitting from increased connectivity through Abu Dhabi.
Etihad’s strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines has further extended its reach across Africa, allowing guests to connect to a wider range of destinations beyond Etihad’s own network. The partnership supports improved scheduling and access across multiple African markets.
Africa remains a key component of Etihad’s Journey 2030 strategy, with the airline focusing on enhanced services, deeper partnerships and network expansion to meet rising demand across the continent.