Etihad Airways will move to double-daily operations on its Abu Dhabi–Kabul route from 15 July 2026, less than four months after the service first launched.
The airline began flying to Kabul in March 2026 with four weekly frequencies. Demand exceeded expectations from the outset, driven by both direct travellers and passengers connecting through Zayed International Airport to Europe and other destinations. The upgrade to twice-daily means four rotations in total: morning and afternoon departures from Abu Dhabi, with return services at 15:10 and 19:20 local time from Kabul.
All services are operated by Airbus A320 aircraft in an eight-business, 150-economy configuration.
“The response to our Kabul launch has been exceptional. Demand has remained strong from day one, and moving to double-daily is a direct reflection of what our guests have been telling us with their bookings. This rapid expansion is another example of the strategic approach we take to network development, allowing us to respond quickly to the wishes of our guests, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s rile as an important gateway connecting regional markets with our global network,” Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer said in a statement.
The UAE hosts one of the Gulf’s largest Afghan communities, and trade and family ties between the two countries have historically sustained strong travel demand on the corridor. The expanded schedule gives Afghan residents in the UAE and travellers in both directions more flexibility over departure times.
