OREANDA-NEWS. Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) welcomed the inaugural flight of Kenya Airways, the national carrier of Kenya, famously known as “the Pride of Africa”, into Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). Kenya Airways will now offer three flights a week between AUH and Nairobi, Kenya (NBO).

The flight, which hosted the Kenya Airways CEO, Dr. Titus Naikuni, and a Cabinet Member of the Kenyan Government, was welcomed with a water cannon salute and a ribbon cutting ceremony which was attended by Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operations Officer of ADAC, and H.E Ambassador Mohamed Gello, Kenyan Ambassador to the UAE.

Commenting on the launch, Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of ADAC, said:

“The new connectivity between two major regions will contribute towards Abu Dhabi International Airport’s growth as an international hub and will enable the airport to act as the Middle East’s gateway to Africa. The flights will not only increase the choice of destinations from Abu Dhabi, but they will also give passengers flying from Africa the opportunity to experience the world-class service Abu Dhabi International Airport has to offer and the opportunity to experience one of the most dynamic capitals in the Middle East.”

Dr. Titus Naikuni, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways, said: “We are glad to be working with ADAC on Kenya Airways’ new operation to Abu Dhabi. The new destination is an effort to continually enhance travel options to customers and is part of our partnership with Etihad Airways.  Now, our customers from Africa will enjoy the ease of connecting via Abu Dhabi to the rest of the world.”

The three flights a week planned on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will depart from NBO at 19:25 and arrive in AUH at 01:05 the following day, whilst flights leaving AUH at 02:05 will arrive in NOB at 05:55 on the same day. The new route will use a B737-800 aircraft containing 145 seats divided between business and economy classes.