Etihad Airways and Air Peace have signed an interline agreement that will expand travel connectivity across Nigeria, West and Central Africa. The partnership opens 20 destinations to Etihad guests while giving Air Peace customers access to Abu Dhabi through Etihad’s future Lagos and Accra services.
The agreement creates a stronger travel bridge between the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and the wider African region. Therefore, travellers will have more convenient options to connect between major Nigerian cities, regional destinations and Abu Dhabi through the two airlines’ combined networks.
Under the interline arrangement, Etihad guests will be able to travel on a single ticket beyond Lagos and Accra onto Air Peace’s extensive network. The connectivity includes major Nigerian cities such as Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Benin City, Owerri, Warri and Asaba.
In addition, the partnership extends access to several destinations across West and Central Africa. These include Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Bamako, Douala and Libreville, creating wider opportunities for business, tourism and family travel.
For Air Peace customers, the partnership will provide access to Etihad’s Abu Dhabi services once the airline’s planned new routes from Lagos and Accra begin. This will strengthen connections between Nigeria, the UAE and Etihad’s wider international network through Abu Dhabi.
Interline Deal Strengthens Nigeria-UAE Connectivity
The interline partnership comes as economic and people-to-people links between Nigeria and the UAE continue to grow. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest economies, while a significant Nigerian community lives and works across the Emirates.
Meanwhile, business ties between both countries have accelerated following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in January 2026. The new airline partnership could therefore support increased movement of travellers for business, trade, tourism and other purposes.
For Etihad, the deal also supports its broader African expansion plans announced in April. These include a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Lagos, which will provide the foundation for Etihad guests to connect onwards through Air Peace’s network.
Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, Etihad Airways, said the agreement would give travellers access to one of Africa’s most extensive domestic and regional networks.
“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 added that partnerships with strong local airlines would help Etihad expand across the continent.
Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer, Air Peace, said the partnership would further the airline’s commitment to improving travel options for Nigerian and West African passengers.
“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.”
Ngala said the partnership would also bring Etihad guests to the destinations served by Air Peace across the region.
Combined journeys will be bookable through Etihad and Air Peace once the interline agreement takes effect. The partnership therefore promises a more seamless travel experience, broader destination access and stronger connectivity between Nigeria, West Africa, Central Africa and the UAE.
