CHUKS OKOH
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has inked a new interline agreement with Nigerian domestic airline Ibom Air.
The strategic partnership will allow international passengers to connect seamlessly to five major Nigerian cities on a single ticket, starting March 2027.
The deal comes ahead of Etihad’s scheduled launch of non-stop services from Abu Dhabi to West Africa. The UAE flag carrier is set to launch daily flights to Lagos on March 23, 2027, followed by a four-weekly service to Accra, Ghana, on March 24, 2027.
Under the new agreement, passengers arriving on Etihad flights into Lagos or Accra will be able to connect directly via Ibom Air to domestic destinations including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Uyo, and Calabar. The deal also establishes connections between Accra and the Nigerian cities of Abuja and Uyo.
Travelers will be able to book their complete itineraries under a single reservation, with baggage checked through to their final destinations.
Arik De, Etihad Airways’ Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, emphasized the significance of the African market to the airline’s long-term strategy.
“Our ambitions in Africa are long-term, and Nigeria sits at the centre of them,” De said. “Ibom Air has built a strong domestic network from its base in Uyo, and partnerships with airlines that know their own markets are how we grow on the continent. Having this in place before our Accra and Lagos flights begin next March means we arrive in the region already connected to the cities beyond them.”
The partnership represents a major milestone for Ibom Air as it continues to expand its footprint as a regional carrier in West Africa.
George Uriesi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, noted that the agreement reinforces the airline’s role as a primary gateway for international visitors entering Nigeria and Ghana.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our journey to becoming a truly world-class African regional airline,” Uriesi said. “It enables international travellers to access the cities we serve through a single booking, enhancing connectivity and convenience. Additionally, it positions Ibom Air as the key domestic and regional connection for Etihad Airways’ operations into Nigeria and Ghana.”
Combination tickets for the joint network will go on sale starting November 3, 2026, via the airlines’ official websites.
