Etihad Airways and Ibom Air have signed a strategic interline agreement that will connect five Nigerian cities to the United Arab Emirates carrier’s global network through Lagos and Accra….
Etihad Airways and Ibom Air have signed a strategic interline agreement that will connect five Nigerian cities to the United Arab Emirates carrier’s global network through Lagos and Accra.
Under the agreement announced on Monday, October 5, 2026, passengers will be able to book journeys to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu on a single ticket when travelling through Etihad’s network.
The arrangement will also provide full baggage check-through to passengers’ final destinations, while creating direct connections between Accra and Abuja, and Accra and Uyo.
The partnership is scheduled to coincide with the launch of Etihad’s new direct services to Lagos and Accra in March 2027.
Etihad’s daily Lagos service will begin on March 23, 2027, while flights to Accra will operate four times weekly from March 24.
Combined itineraries across the two airlines will open for booking from November 3, 2026.
Commenting on the agreement, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said the partnership reflected the airline’s long-term ambitions in Africa, with Nigeria playing a central role.
“Our ambitions in Africa are long-term, and Nigeria sits at the centre of them,” De said.
He said Ibom Air’s established domestic network would help Etihad connect international travellers to destinations beyond Lagos and Accra.
“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,” he added.
De said having the interline arrangement in place ahead of the launch of Etihad’s Lagos and Accra services would ensure the airline entered the market with wider connections already available.
Ibom Air Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, George Uriesi, described the agreement as a major milestone for the Nigerian carrier.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our journey to becoming a truly world-class African regional airline,” Uriesi said.
He said the partnership would allow international travellers to access Ibom Air destinations through a single booking while improving convenience for passengers.
“It enables international travellers to access the cities we serve through a single booking, enhancing connectivity and convenience,” he said.
Uriesi added that the agreement would position Ibom Air as a key domestic and regional link for Etihad’s operations into Nigeria and Ghana from next year.
The interline agreement means passengers will be able to book an itinerary covering both airlines, with checked baggage transferred automatically to their final destination.
The arrangement will also expand access to five Nigerian destinations from Etihad’s international network and strengthen connections between Nigeria and Ghana through Accra.
The partnership is expected to improve travel options for international passengers heading to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu, while strengthening Ibom Air’s role in connecting international travellers to destinations within its domestic network.
