Air Peace, Etihad Forge Partnership to Expand Nigeria, Africa-UAE Connectivity

Air Peace and Etihad Airways have signed an interline agreement aimed at expanding air connectivity between Nigeria, West and Central Africa and the United Arab Emirates, giving passengers access to a wider network through a single ticket.

Under the partnership, Etihad Airways passengers travelling through Lagos and Accra will be able to connect to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa served by Air Peace.

Air Peace customers, meanwhile, will gain access to Abu Dhabi through Etihad Airways planned services from Lagos and Accra once the new routes commence.

The destinations available through the partnership include major Nigerian cities such as Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Benin City, Owerri, Warri and Asaba.

The network also covers regional destinations including 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 UAE, particularly following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in January 2026.

They also cited increasing travel demand from Nigerians living and working in the United Arab Emirates as a factor behind the partnership.

The deal supports Etihad Airways broader African expansion strategy announced earlier this year, including plans to launch daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Lagos.

Etihad's Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, Arik De, said Nigeria remained central to the airline's long-term growth strategy in Africa.

“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,” De said.

He added that partnerships with established regional airlines would remain an important part of Etihad's expansion strategy across the continent.

Air Peace Chief Commercial Officer, Nowel Ngala, described the agreement as another milestone in the Nigerian airline's efforts to improve connectivity for travellers across Nigeria and West Africa.

“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 made available for booking through the websites of both carriers once the interline agreement takes effect.

The partnership is expected to strengthen air links between Nigeria and the Middle East while making it easier for travellers to connect to destinations across West and Central Africa through Air Peace's expanding regional network.

The agreement also positions Lagos and Accra as key gateways for greater passenger movement between the Gulf region and African markets, potentially supporting increased tourism, trade and business travel between the connected destinations.