Etihad Airways has formalized an interline partnership with Air Peace, Nigeria's largest carrier, giving passengers seamless access to 20 destinations across Nigeria and West Africa. The agreement allows travelers to book a single ticket covering Etihad's flights from Abu Dhabi to Lagos and Accra, then onward via Air Peace's regional network.
Network expansion details
The interline deal includes major Nigerian cities such as Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu, as well as regional West African capitals like Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Dakar (Senegal), and Monrovia (Liberia). This significantly extends Etihad's reach beyond its existing gateways, offering a more comprehensive option for business and leisure travelers moving between the Gulf and West Africa.
Etihad is preparing to launch a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Lagos, which will serve as the primary feeder for this new connectivity. The interline arrangement is designed to be operational once that route begins, though the airline has not yet announced a specific start date.
Executive perspectives
Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer at Etihad Airways, emphasized Nigeria's strategic importance: “This agreement gives our guests access to one of the continent's most extensive domestic and regional networks.” He noted that the partnership aligns with Etihad's long-term ambitions to grow its African footprint.
Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer at Air Peace, highlighted the reciprocal benefits: “Working with Etihad Airways extends that ambition, giving our customers convenient access to Abu Dhabi on Etihad's services once the new routes begin.” The deal is expected to stimulate trade and tourism flows between the UAE and Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and a major economic hub.
Broader industry context
This interline agreement comes as Gulf carriers continue to deepen their presence in Africa. Etihad's move mirrors similar strategies by Emirates and Qatar Airways, both of which have expanded African networks through partnerships and direct flights. For Air Peace, the deal provides a valuable international feed for its domestic and regional operations, strengthening its position as a hub carrier in West Africa.
The partnership also reflects growing demand for connectivity between the Middle East and West Africa, driven by trade, investment, and diaspora travel. Nigeria is a key oil and gas partner for the UAE, and improved air links are likely to support business travel in both directions.
For travel professionals, the interline agreement simplifies itinerary planning for clients traveling to secondary Nigerian cities and neighboring countries. Agents can now book a single ticket through Etihad's website or GDS systems, eliminating the need for separate bookings on Air Peace. This is particularly relevant for corporate travel managers and tour operators serving the West African market.
Etihad's African strategy has been gradually expanding, with recent additions including services to Cairo and Casablanca. The Air Peace partnership represents a more targeted approach to capturing traffic from Nigeria's large and growing aviation market. As the UAE continues to strengthen its passport power—recently rising to joint second globally—the convenience of travel between the two regions is likely to increase further.
Combined journeys will be available for booking on Etihad's website once the agreement is in effect. Air Peace's network covers over 20 domestic and regional destinations, making it one of the most extensive in West Africa. The partnership is expected to be particularly attractive for passengers traveling to destinations like Enugu, a major commercial hub in southeastern Nigeria, and Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.
For more on regional connectivity developments, see our coverage of Akasa Air's expansion in India and flydubai's new Aleppo service.
