Etihad Airways will resume its flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi on June 1, following a postponement reportedly caused by delays in securing regulatory approvals.

The airline, which stopped operating on the route in 2020 due to COVID, had initially planned to resume its flights between Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) on May 1.

The daily flights will restore non-stop commercial passenger operations between the UAE and Kenya, while helping to foster important cultural and economic ties between the two countries, according to the airline.

“We are thrilled to be restarting flights to Nairobi, a dynamic and exciting city and also the gateway to a Kenyan safari, a dream adventure for many travellers, offering a view of the diverse and magnificent wildlife of Africa,” said Etihad CEO, Antonoaldo Neves.

Kenya has emphasised the need to grow arrivals from the Middle East, which totalled just over 15 000 in 2023.