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Etihad Finally Launches Nairobi Route
Etihad announced back in October 2023 that they were launching flights to Nairobi starting in May 2024, this never materialised though and they finally celebrated the launch yesterday. This isn’t part of the 10 new routes they recently announced here, so whilst it may have taken a while to get off the ground, it shows they are making good ground in expanding their reach across the globe.
Eugene attended a virtual roundtable with Etihads CEO, Antonoaldo Neves a couple of weeks ago where they discussed global expansion and explained that they had heavily expanded into Europe over the past couple of years and wanted to spread into other areas including Asia and Africa more. They said there was more to come so hopefully will include other African destinations.
As safari lovers, we have always wanted to visit the Maasai Mara in Kenya so it’s great to see more competition on this route.
The flights will run four times a week. See below for the schedule:
| Flight Number | Departure Airport | Departure Time | Arrival Airport | Arrival Time | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EY 767 | AUH | 9:05 | NBO | 13:30 | Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | A320 |
| EY 768 | NBO | 18:20 | AUH | 0:20 (+1) | Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | A320 |
Tickets are now available for booking on etihad.com.
Qatar Airways Resumes Flights to Canberra
Qatar Airways is resuming its flights to Canberra after previously stopping the service during the pandemic. The flights will start in December 2025 and will route via Melbourne for refuelling (Although it stops for fuel, it is still classed as a direct flight). The flights will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring the airline’s Q-suite Business Class cabin and complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi for all passengers.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said:
“We are delighted to be able to serve Canberra once again. The nation’s capital, the political heart of Australia, rightly expects to be served by a range of international airlines, and I am proud that we are able to play our part in that. Whether travelling for business, government services or leisure, our commitment to Australia, and to Canberra, is one that we know will bring much needed healthy competition to the market and greater choice for passengers.”
The resumed route also aligns with Qatar Airways’ ongoing partnership with Virgin Australia, pending regulatory approvals.
Flights are bookable via Qatar Airways here.
First voco Hotel from IHG to Open in London
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the addition of the first voco-branded property in London, set to open this December. The 93-room Signature London, J Marylebone Hotel will be rebranded as voco London Marylebone, with RBH Hospitality Management appointed to oversee operations. Located on Old Marylebone Road, near Edgware Road Underground station, this premium hotel adds to IHG’s growing voco portfolio, which launched in 2018 and now has over 150 properties globally, including 12 in the UK.
Matt Walton, Head of Development, UK&I at IHG, commented,
“voco hotels combines charm, comfort, and an inviting experience with the reliability of a global brand. We are excited to bring voco to London in such a coveted location, and we are confident it will be a success.”
The hotel site was originally earmarked for Hilton’s Motto brand but has since been repurposed under IHG’s conversion-focused voco brand. Its opening reflects the growing popularity of voco hotels, known for their charm and sustainability focus.
See more information on this new hotel here.
