Kabul (Pajhwok): Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced that it will increase its flights between Abu Dhabi and Kabul to daily services starting from 1 May 2026.
In a statement, the airline said the decision comes just six weeks after the launch of the route, due to strong passenger demand.
The Kabul-Abu Dhabi route was inaugurated on 20 March 2026 with four weekly flights, but has since experienced robust demand from both direct travellers and those connecting through Etihad’s global network.
According to the airline, the flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, offering eight Business Class and 150 Economy Class seats.
The increase to daily service is expected to enhance travel flexibility and improve connectivity for passengers travelling between Kabul, Abu Dhabi and onward destinations across Europe and North America.
Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said: “Since launching our Kabul flights in March, we have seen strong and sustained demand from passengers travelling between Afghanistan, the UAE and beyond.”
He added that the expansion would provide greater flexibility for travellers, while strengthening connectivity for the Afghan diaspora and supporting growing economic and trade links.
The airline noted that the UAE hosts a large Afghan community, and the increase in flights will further support family travel, business ties and cultural exchange.
Under the new schedule, flights will depart Abu Dhabi at 14:45 and arrive in Kabul at 18:15, while return flights will leave Kabul at 19:20 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 22:10.
