Etihad launches direct Abu Dhabi-Dar flights

Dar es Salaam. The flag carrier and the second-largest airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Etihad, yesterday introduced direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Abu Dhabi as it seeks to capitalise on the growing business ties between UAE and East Africa.

The airline will be operating two flights a day between the two destinations, according to the airlines vice president Damiel Barranger.

“Dar es Salaam will be our third destination in East Africa after Nairobi and Entebbe,” he said.

The decision to introduce the Dar es Salaam-Abu Dhabi Route, he said, follows the growth of businesses and tourism that promises to bring many people into the country. Data, produced by the UAE bureau of statistics, indicate that the UAE is among Tanzania’s top five import partners. With an 8.5 per cent share, the UAE is only fourth from China (representing 12 per cent of total imports) while Switzerland, South Africa and India come in second, third and fifth with shares of 8.8 per cent, 8.5 and 7.6 per cent respectively.

According to the UAE National Bureau of Statistics, Tanzania is the most important destinations for UAE exports in Africa representing 12.87 per cent of all UAE’s exports to the continent, followed by Somalia (12.47 per cent) and Libya (10.24 per cent). Etihad, which started its operations in Africa five years ago, currently flies to Cairo, Casablanca, Entebbe, Johannesburg, Khartoum, Lagos and Nairobi.

From Abu Dhabi, passengers will be connecting to Europe, Asia, America and Australia among other destinations.