Etihad launches winter flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Zanzibar

Etihad is boosting the number of flights between Abu Dhabi and destinations in Africa before the end of the year.

The national airline of the UAE is adding services to South Africa’s Johannesburg and Cape Town from November 25. It will also launch direct flights to the popular holiday island of Zanzibar a day later, from November 26.

“We’re proud to be launching Etihad’s newest destinations in Africa this winter and we’re confident our guests will find they are all incredible places to visit,” said Tony Douglas, group chief executive.

“Johannesburg is an important route on our network and offers vital connectivity to and from the southern African region. On the southern coast, Cape Town is a breathtaking part of the world, with something to offer the most discerning traveller. Likewise, the beautiful island of Zanzibar will complement our network to the Maldives and Seychelles offering more choice for leisure travellers looking to enjoy the glorious Indian Ocean,” said Douglas.

Etihad flights to South Africa will operate via a connection in Johannesburg. Flights will depart Abu Dhabi three times a week on the eight-hour flight to South Africa’s biggest city.

Travellers wishing to visit the coastal city of Cape Town can fly onwards from Johannesburg to the Mother City, with a flight time of a little over two hours. Flights will operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with business, economy space and economy seats.

To tropical Zanzibar, Etihad will operate flights on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays via an Airbus A320 jet with economy and business class cabins. It is a short six-hour flight from Abu Dhabi to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport on Unguja Island.

To mark the launch of the routes, Etihad is offering promotional return fares from Dh995 ($270) in economy class, and from Dh3,995 for business tickets to all three destinations. These fares are available on a limited number of seats, on a first come, first served basis.