Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is set to launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Kabul starting December 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone for both the airline and Afghanistan’s aviation sector. The move, announced on October 10, 2025, positions Etihad as the latest international airline to reestablish regular service to the Afghan capital, reflecting both changing regional dynamics and growing demand for connectivity between the UAE and Afghanistan.
Etihad’s new route comes at a time of record profitability for the airline, which reported a $476 million profit in 2024, according to the Associated Press. The carrier has seen over 80% passenger growth since 2022 and has set its sights on reaching 38 million annual passengers by 2030. The addition of Kabul as the 31st new destination announced in 2025 demonstrates Etihad’s strategy to expand its network within a four-hour flight radius of Abu Dhabi, strengthening its role as a central hub for global mobility and commerce.
The new service will operate three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—using Airbus A320 aircraft configured with eight Business and 150 Economy Class seats. Flight EY310 is scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi at 14:45 local time, arriving in Kabul at 18:15, while the return flight, EY311, will leave Kabul at 19:10 and arrive back in Abu Dhabi at 22:10. This schedule, as detailed by AviationA2Z, is designed to provide flexibility for both business and leisure travelers, as well as seamless onward connections to major destinations across the GCC, Europe, Australia, and North America.
Etihad’s CEO, Antonoaldo Neves, highlighted the importance of the new route, stating, “Kabul represents another key market within our target radius from Abu Dhabi, enabling trade, reconnecting families, and opening new opportunities for travelers across our global network.” He further described the launch as “another important step in Etihad’s strategy to expand access to markets within a four-hour radius of Abu Dhabi, while strengthening connections to major destinations across our global network.”
The timing of the route’s launch is no coincidence. The Afghan diaspora is one of the largest in the Gulf, with approximately 300,000 Afghans living and working in the UAE, according to the Afghan Business Council. The new flights are expected to enhance economic, social, and cultural ties, supporting trade, investment, and community connections between the two countries. Etihad’s statement emphasized this, noting, “The new flights will further strengthen these economic and social ties while enhancing connectivity through Abu Dhabi.”
Etihad joins a growing list of international carriers now offering direct flights to Kabul, including Turkish Airlines, FlyDubai, and Air Arabia, alongside local Afghan airlines such as Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines. Air travel to Afghanistan had largely ground to a halt following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021 and the subsequent withdrawal of Western troops, but has gradually resumed as regional and domestic carriers reestablish service. Turkish Airlines, for example, now operates four weekly round-trip flights between Istanbul and Kabul.
Tourism in Afghanistan, while still in its infancy, is slowly re-emerging. Organized tours are now available through licensed operators, and major cities such as Kabul, Herat, Bamiyan, and Mazar-i-Sharif are considered relatively stable for visitors. Yet, as AviationA2Z points out, Afghanistan remains a complex and demanding destination, requiring careful preparation, situational awareness, and strict compliance with local regulations. The Taliban government, which now controls most of the country, has encouraged controlled tourism as a means of improving Afghanistan’s image and economy, implementing protective measures for tourists such as checkpoint escorts and enhanced monitoring.
Travelers are advised to observe strict cultural etiquette, shaped by Islamic values and traditional customs. Women must wear full-length clothing and a headscarf, while men are expected to avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. Public displays of affection and alcohol are prohibited, and photography of people—especially women—or government buildings requires explicit permission. “Understanding and respecting these cultural norms not only ensures personal safety but also earns goodwill from local communities,” notes AviationA2Z.
Security remains a concern, particularly in provinces near border areas, but major cities have seen improvements. Licensed tour operators take comprehensive safety precautions, including not publicly sharing routes, traveling with backup vehicles and radio communication devices, and focusing on stable regions. Solo travel is technically permitted but discouraged without local assistance, and reputable guides provide detailed guidance on clothing, behavior, and itinerary adjustments as needed for safety.
The resumption of international flights and the cautious return of tourism also reflect a changing geopolitical landscape. The UAE has developed close ties with the Taliban-led government in recent years, including accepting a Taliban ambassador and holding high-level meetings with Taliban officials. In July 2024, Russia became the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government, and on the same day as Etihad’s announcement, India upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy. These developments indicate a gradual, if controversial, normalization of Afghanistan’s relations with key regional powers, despite ongoing Western isolation due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls.
For the Afghan community in the UAE and beyond—over six million people worldwide—the new Etihad route offers more than just convenience. It represents a renewed opportunity to reconnect with family, support business ventures, and contribute to Afghanistan’s ongoing efforts at economic revival. As Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves put it, “These flights will serve strong demand for travel, enable trade and investment flows, and reconnect families and communities.”
While Afghanistan is not yet a mainstream holiday destination, the growing availability of direct flights and guided tours signals a cautious optimism about its future. For those prepared to travel respectfully and adapt to changing conditions, the country offers a rare and unfiltered glimpse into a nation at a crossroads—striving to redefine itself amid persistent challenges and new opportunities.
In the end, Etihad’s launch of direct flights to Kabul is more than a business decision; it’s a reflection of shifting regional alliances, the resilience of the Afghan diaspora, and the enduring hope for greater connection in a rapidly changing world.