Excerpt: Air Peace and Etihad Airways have signed an interline agreement connecting 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa with Abu Dhabi.

Air Peace and Etihad Airways have signed an interline agreement that will expand connectivity between Nigeria, West and Central Africa and the United Arab Emirates, allowing passengers to access a wider network through a single ticket.

The agreement, announced on Friday, will enable Etihad Airways’ passengers to connect seamlessly from Lagos and Accra to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa on Air Peace’s network, while Air Peace customers will gain access to Abu Dhabi on Etihad’s planned Lagos and Accra services once those routes commence.

Under the partnership, Etihad passengers travelling to Nigeria will be able to connect to major domestic destinations including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Benin City, Owerri, Warri and Asaba, as well as regional cities such as Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Bamako, Douala and Libreville.

The airlines said the agreement reflects growing commercial and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in January 2026, as well as increasing travel demand from the Nigerian community living and working in the UAE.

The partnership also supports Etihad Airways’ African expansion strategy announced earlier this year, which includes plans to launch daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Lagos.

Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, Arik De, said Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the airline’s long-term African growth plans.

“Our ambitions in Africa are long term, and Nigeria sits at the centre of them. This agreement gives our guests access to one of the continent’s most extensive domestic and regional networks, and it brings Air Peace’s customers to Abu Dhabi to experience our home,” he said.

He added that partnerships with established regional carriers remain central to the airline’s expansion strategy.

Air Peace Chief Commercial Officer, Nowel Ngala, described the agreement as another milestone in the airline’s drive to improve connectivity for Nigerian and West African travellers.

“Air Peace has always been about opening doors for Nigerian and West African travellers. Working with Etihad Airways extends that ambition, giving our customers convenient access to Abu Dhabi on Etihad’s services once the new routes begin, while bringing Etihad’s guests to the many destinations we serve across the region,” Ngala said.

According to the airlines, combined itineraries will be available for booking through both carriers’ websites once the agreement takes effect.

The interline partnership is expected to strengthen connectivity between Nigeria and the Middle East while providing travellers with easier access to destinations across West and Central Africa through Air Peace’s expanding regional network. (Arise News)

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