Less than six weeks after launching four-weekly flights to Kabul, Etihad Airways will increase the service to daily rotations from 1 May 2026. The upgrade responds to unexpectedly strong demand from the large Afghan diaspora in the UAE and from NGOs transiting Abu Dhabi to Europe and North America. Flights EY310/311 will continue to operate with Airbus A320 aircraft configured with eight Business and 150 Economy seats. Etihad says the schedule offers same-day connectivity to London, Frankfurt, Toronto and Washington via its Zayed International hub, a key selling point for migrant-worker and VFR traffic. Afghan exporters have welcomed the move, noting that a daily belly-hold will double weekly cargo capacity for perishables and textiles, commodities that previously relied on circuitous overland routes to Karachi. Recruitment agencies also expect smoother labour mobility as employers gain more flight options for onboarding skilled tradespeople. Security analysts point out that Etihad’s expansion underscores the UAE’s role as Afghanistan’s primary Gulf gateway at a time when few international airlines serve Kabul. The increased frequency will, however, require careful fleet planning given the broader regional air-space detours that already lengthen block times across Etihad’s network.
Source: Etihad Airways Press Office
