Etihad Airways Boosts African Connectivity with Renewed Zanzibar and Al Alamein Services from Abu Dh
The UAE's national carrier, Etihad Airways, has officially relaunched a series of seasonal non-stop services from its Abu Dhabi (AUH) hub, with two of these routes carrying significant weight for the African travel trade. The airline's renewed commitment to African leisure destinations signals fresh opportunities for tour operators, hoteliers, and travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa who are looking to diversify their inbound and outbound product offerings.
Among the standout additions for the African market is the resumption of flights to Zanzibar (ZNZ) in Tanzania. Etihad will operate four weekly flights on this much-loved route, deploying the Airbus A320 aircraft under flight number EY791. Zanzibar continues to rank as one of East Africa's most sought-after island getaways, drawing visitors with its powdery white beaches, spice-scented heritage towns, and rich Swahili culture. The increased frequency from Abu Dhabi is expected to strengthen Tanzania's positioning within the Gulf and wider international markets, providing a vital boost for hospitality stakeholders along the Tanzanian coast.
For travel professionals based in southern, eastern, and central Africa, the renewed Zanzibar service through Abu Dhabi opens up a smoother connecting option for travellers arriving from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. With the global appetite for African beach holidays continuing to grow, this development is particularly timely. Travel sellers can now market more flexible itineraries combining Zanzibar with mainland safari experiences in Tanzania, Kenya, and beyond, leveraging Etihad's expansive global network to attract premium leisure travellers.
The second route of considerable interest to the African continent is the new seasonal service to Al Alamein (DBB) in Egypt, scheduled to begin on 16 July 2026. Operating twice weekly with the Airbus A320 under flight EY721, this connection introduces Africa-bound travellers to one of Egypt's emerging coastal hotspots along the Mediterranean. Al Alamein has been undergoing significant transformation, with new resorts, residential developments, and cultural attractions positioning it as a fresh alternative to Egypt's more established Red Sea destinations.
For African travel professionals, the Al Alamein service offers an exciting new product line to introduce to clients seeking Mediterranean experiences without venturing as far as Europe. Egyptian tourism authorities have been actively promoting the area as part of a broader strategy to spread visitor traffic beyond Cairo, Luxor, and Sharm El Sheikh, and Etihad's seasonal commitment is a strong vote of confidence in this vision. The route also opens potential opportunities for combined North Africa and UAE itineraries, which can appeal to high-spending leisure markets and small group operators.
The wider package of resumed flights, which also covers Mediterranean and European leisure favourites such as Mykonos, Santorini, Malaga, and Nice, alongside the year-round Damascus service, demonstrates Etihad's strategic focus on rebuilding its seasonal leisure footprint. While these European routes are not directly African, they nonetheless reinforce Abu Dhabi's role as a powerful connecting gateway, allowing African outbound travellers seamless access to popular summer destinations through a single hub.
Looking ahead, the African travel sector should view these developments as more than just route announcements. They reflect a broader shift in how Gulf carriers are positioning themselves to feed African leisure markets and connect the continent to global destinations. As Zanzibar grows its premium tourism credentials and Egypt cultivates new coastal experiences, partnerships between African ground operators and international airlines like Etihad will become increasingly important in shaping the next chapter of the continent's travel business.
