Etihad Airways’ introduced a new daily, two-class (16 business and 120 economy classes) Airbus A320 service to Nairobi  representing  the airline’s first passenger service to East Africa. And according to Etihad Airways, Kenya's  service is keystone to its expansion strategy in Africa.

Part of  its Africa expansion, the airline announced plans to introduce flights to Nigeria in July, 2012. While it commenced operations to the Seychelles in November, 2011, and Libya in January of this year, improving existing services to Egypt, South Africa, Morocco and Sudan.

Etihad Airways team headed by Peter Baumgartner, the airline's Chief Commercial Officer, was on the inaugural Nairobi flight.

James Hogan Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer said: “We are delighted to introduce Etihad Airways to East Africa. This year will see considerable growth for us within Africa as a whole, as we observe strong and emerging markets across the continent.

“In particular, this new route services the considerable and growing flow of people and capital between Kenya and North Asia, with major Chinese investment in Africa generating passenger demand in both directions.

“We expect to see strong loads to China, including our new destinations – Chengdu and Shanghai – and of course Beijing, though the schedule allows sub-four hour connectivity to key destinations across North Asia, South East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Australia.”

Etihad Airways began dedicated cargo services to Nairobi in March 2009 and will continue to operate five freight-only flights per week. The combined capacity of passenger and cargo aircraft will permit the airline to transport 340 tonnes of cargo each week.

Nairobi schedule, effective Sunday, April 1, 2012:

 
Source: Etihad Airways