UAE carrier Etihad announces launch of direct flights to Kabul

"Etihad, which announced a record $476 million profit in 2024, said the new service responded to "growing demand" for travel between the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan and that the three weekly flights starting in December would support "trade, travel, and community ties." "The UAE hosts one of the largest Afghan communities in the Gulf, with around 300,000 Afghans living and working in the country, according to the Afghan Business Council," the airline said in a statement. "The new flights will further strengthen these economic and social ties while enhancing connectivity through Abu Dhabi.""

"The oil-rich UAE has forged close ties with the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan in recent years.In June 2024, the Emirati leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met a top official and Cabinet member, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who had a U.S. bounty on his head over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults.A few months later, the UAE accepted the credentials of a Taliban government ambassador."

"Even though the Taliban are largely isolated from the West, due to their restrictions on women and girls, they have successfully established bilateral relations with regional powers.In July, Russia became the first country to recognize them as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. And, on Friday, India said it was upgrading its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy."

Etihad will begin three weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Kabul starting in December to accommodate growing travel demand and strengthen ties. The airline reported a record $476 million profit in 2024 and said the service will support trade, travel, and community connections. The UAE hosts about 300,000 Afghans living and working in the country, and the new route aims to bolster economic and social links while improving connectivity through Abu Dhabi. Other international carriers flying direct to Kabul include Turkish Airlines and FlyDubai. The UAE has developed closer relations with the Taliban-led government, including high-level meetings and acceptance of a Taliban ambassador, as the Taliban build regional bilateral ties despite Western isolation.

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