Etihad Airways boosts Kabul flights to twice daily

UAE carrier Etihad Airways will double flights between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Kabul International Airport (KBL) in Afghanistan, adding a second daily service from 15 July 2026 following strong demand on the route.

 

Operated by Airbus A320 aircraft configured with eight Business and 150 Economy seats, the route will offer two daily services in each direction. One flight will depart AUH at 09:55 and return from KBL at 15:10, while the second service will leave AUH at 14:45 and depart KBL at 19:20.

 

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “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.” 

 

He added that the increase reflects Etihad’s approach to network development and strengthens Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway linking regional markets with the airline’s global network.

 

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Kabul joined the Etihad network in March 2026 with four weekly flights. Demand has since exceeded expectations from both point-to-point travellers and passengers connecting through Abu Dhabi to destinations across Europe and beyond, prompting the airline’s second frequency increase in just four months. The expanded schedule is expected to support growing business, trade and family travel links between the UAE and Afghanistan. 

 

The increase forms part of Etihad’s wider network expansion strategy. The airline recently announced plans to increase flights between Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to three daily services from 1 July 2026, operating two Airbus A380 flights alongside a Boeing 787-9 service.

 

The carrier has also expanded its European reach through a new codeshare partnership with Romania’s Tarom airline, providing access to six destinations across Romania via Bucharest and strengthening connectivity across Eastern Europe.

 

Etihad Aviation Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves recently said the airline expects to exceed pre-war capacity levels by mid-June, operating around 8% above year-earlier levels. The carrier is also pursuing a double-digit order for additional widebody aircraft to support network expansion.

 

For more information, visit www.etihad.com