Etihad Airways marks 20 years of nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg, strengthening travel and trade

Etihad Airways is celebrating a major milestone in Africa as it marks 20 years of nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg

Johannesburg remains one of Etihad’s longest-standing gateways on the continent and a strategically significant market within the airline’s rapidly expanding global network.

Since the route launched in 2005, Etihad has transported nearly two million passengers between the UAE and South Africa, strengthening cultural, business, and tourism ties between the two nations. In 2025 alone, the airline carried more than 100,000 guests on the route, reflecting sustained demand and the ongoing importance of Johannesburg within Etihad’s network.

Today, Etihad’s services to Johannesburg provide nonstop access to Abu Dhabi, along with seamless onward connections to the Middle East, Europe, North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and Asia Pacific via Zayed International Airport. Beyond Abu Dhabi, passengers travelling from Johannesburg can continue to key destinations such as Jeddah, Istanbul, Mumbai, Bangkok, and Phuket, highlighting the route’s role as a gateway to Etihad’s global network. The route is further supported by Etihad’s growing partnerships across Southern Africa, enabling smoother connections within the region.

“Johannesburg has played an important role in our African network for two decades. The strong performance we continue to see both in passenger demand and corporate travel highlights the long-term relationship between the UAE and South Africa, and the value Etihad brings in enabling trade and tourism. Africa remains a key pillar of our global strategy, and we are proud to continue supporting this dynamic market as part of our wider Journey 2030 ambitions,” said Javier Alija, vice-president global sales & distribution at Etihad Airways.

Expanding Etihad’s footprint across Africa

The Johannesburg milestone coincides with Etihad’s broader growth across Africa. The continent continues to demonstrate strong travel demand, supported by a growing population of international travellers and deepening economic and cultural ties with the UAE.

Etihad’s network developments reflect this momentum, with new services launched in the past year to key African gateways including Tunis, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi. Established connections to destinations such as Casablanca and Cairo continue to perform strongly, benefiting from access to Etihad’s expanding global network.

The airline’s strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines further extends its reach across Africa, offering passengers improved connectivity to a broad range of destinations beyond Etihad’s own network.

Corporate travel momentum

The Johannesburg route continues to see strong performance from the corporate segment, with corporate revenue in 2025 rising more than 50 percent year-on-year. This growth is supported by robust UAE–South Africa economic ties and Abu Dhabi’s increasing position as a global business hub.

As it celebrates 20 years in Johannesburg, Etihad remains committed to deepening its presence across Africa through enhanced services, broader partnerships, and an expanded network to meet rising demand across the continent.

Kalmar introduces Gen 2 lithium-ion battery, boosting operating time, safety and sustainability for electric straddle carriers. (Image sources: Kalmar)

Kalmar has launched a second-generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery solution for its electric straddle carriers, marking a significant upgrade in energy performance, safety and operational efficiency

The new Gen 2 battery is designed to deliver higher energy capacity, improved thermal stability and longer operating hours, and is now available to customers worldwide.

Developed in response to increasing demand for safer, more efficient and sustainable cargo-handling equipment, the Gen 2 battery incorporates advanced cell chemistry that extends battery lifespan and reduces replacement frequency. This results in a lower total cost of ownership for customers, while also improving lifecycle sustainability compared with previous-generation technology.

The new battery offers a nominal capacity of 533 kWh, representing a 25% increase over its predecessor, with a usable capacity of 453 kWh. This enhanced capacity enables longer operating cycles and greater flexibility in charging strategies. Operators can combine scheduled depot charging during breaks with hands-free opportunity charging during operations, supporting hot-seat usage and continuous workflows. Depending on energy consumption, electric straddle carriers equipped with the Gen 2 battery can achieve up to 10 hours of net operating time.

Alongside the battery launch, Kalmar has also commissioned a megawatt charging system (MCS) at its test facility in Tampere, Finland, supporting faster and more efficient charging for high-capacity electric equipment.

“Gen 2 represents a major step forward in terms of battery energy capacity, safety and operational lifespan. With longer operating times and improved reliability, our customers can transition to fully electric fleets without compromising performance.”

The introduction of the Gen 2 battery reinforces Kalmar’s commitment to advancing electrification and decarbonisation in port and terminal operations, supporting customers as they move toward fully electric cargo-handling fleets.

Botswana railway modernisation project

RITES Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the Republic of Botswana, through its Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, to support the development and upgrading of the country’s transport infrastructure

The agreement is focused on advancing Botswana’s railway and broader transport networks by leveraging advanced technologies, international best practices, and targeted capacity-building programmes. The collaboration is intended to strengthen local expertise while improving operational efficiency, safety, and reliability across the transport sector.

Under the MoU, Botswana will utilise RITES Limited’s technical and consultancy expertise to support the development and modernisation of its railway systems. RITES’ role will include assistance with the supply of rolling stock, commissioning services, repair and maintenance support, operational advisory services, and the modernisation of railway workshops.

Beyond railways, the partnership also extends to a wide range of transport infrastructure projects, including highways, bridges, airports, and buildings, supporting Botswana’s long-term infrastructure development goals.

In addition, RITES will deliver capacity-building initiatives and technical training programmes, promote structured knowledge exchange, and provide quality assurance services such as third-party inspections, pre-shipment inspections, and final acceptance testing. The collaboration also includes the deployment of advanced digital solutions, including integrated train operations systems and passenger management platforms.

Mangombe River Port launch boosts Central Africa connectivity.

The Central African Republic has taken a significant step forward in advancing the Pointe-Noire–Brazzaville–Bangui–N’Djamena (CD13) multimodal transport corridor with the official launch of works on the MANGOMBE river port, marked by the laying of its foundation stone

The ceremony, held on 10 December 2025, signals a new stage in regional integration efforts aimed at boosting intra-regional trade, easing the movement of goods and people, and supporting economic growth across Central Africa through improved road and river transport links.

The event was presided over by President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, alongside Prime Minister Félix Moloua, members of government, African Development Bank representatives led by interim Country Manager Boye Kissagne, development partners and local community representatives.

“By laying this stone, I confirm my strong commitment to building a modern Central African Republic that can capitalise on its geographical, hydraulic and human assets to take a worthy place among emerging nations,” president Touadéra said.

“This marks a decisive turning point for our policy of openness, connectivity and greater economic exchange in our Central African sub-region. We are laying more than a stone: we are laying the foundation of something that will bring growth, hope and opportunities for our country.”

Located at Mongoumba, the new river port is designed to play a pivotal role in strengthening river transport links between the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo. The facility is expected to improve regional connectivity, shorten supply chains, ease inflationary pressures, and enhance the management of cargo transfers between river and road networks. In addition, the project is anticipated to stimulate private sector investment, create employment and open up new opportunities in logistics and financial services.

The project is being financed through a US$282mn grant from the African Development Fund, the concessional financing arm of the African Development Bank Group, underscoring the institution’s continued commitment to infrastructure development across Africa.

“Today, we are not simply launching an infrastructure project; we are opening the door to a future firmly focused on shared prosperity,” Kissagne said.

“The Port of Mongoumba is a symbol of resilience, courage, and determination to advance despite challenges.”

Construction of the port is scheduled to last 24 months and will be executed by the Italian–Egyptian Selip–Rowad consortium, with oversight provided by the SCET Tunisie and Lege Engineering consortium.

Currently, the African Development Bank Group is supporting 20 projects in the Central African Republic, with total commitments of US$583mn. These investments are concentrated mainly in transport (51%), water and sanitation (21%), agriculture (12%) and other sectors, including energy, social development, governance and finance (16%).