Air Peace and Etihad Airways have signed an interline agreement that will make it easier for travelers to fly between Nigeria, West and Central Africa, and the United Arab Emirates on a single ticket.

The partnership expands travel options for passengers by allowing them to connect across both airlines’ networks under one booking.

It also reflects growing demand for smoother business and leisure travel between Africa and the Middle East.

For Air Peace, the agreement strengthens its international partnerships while giving its customers easier access to Abu Dhabi and destinations beyond.

For Etihad, it opens the door to one of Africa’s largest domestic and regional airline networks as it grows its footprint on the continent.

The deal comes as Nigeria and the UAE deepen trade and investment ties following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in January 2026.

Rising business travel and a growing Nigerian community in the Emirates are also driving demand for stronger air links.

Single-ticket travel across 20 destinations

Under the agreement, Etihad passengers will be able to connect beyond Lagos and Accra to Air Peace destinations using a single ticket once Etihad launches its planned services to the two cities.

The network includes Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Benin City, Owerri, Warri and Asaba, alongside regional destinations such as Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Bamako, Douala and Libreville.

Airlines see long-term growth in Africa

“Our ambitions in Africa are long-term, and Nigeria sits at the centre of them,” Arik De, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial and revenue officer, said in a statement.

He said the partnership gives Etihad customers access to one of Africa’s broadest domestic and regional networks while offering Air Peace passengers a convenient connection through Abu Dhabi to Etihad’s global destinations.

Air Peace Chief Commercial Officer Nowel Ngala said the agreement supports the airline’s goal of giving Nigerian and West African travelers more choices while welcoming more international visitors into the region.

Expanding partnerships

The airlines said combined journeys will be available through both booking platforms once the agreement takes effect, making travel between the two networks more seamless.

Air Peace is Nigeria’s largest airline by domestic network and one of the country’s leading international carriers.

The airline operates flights across Nigeria, West Africa, Southern Africa and selected international destinations while expanding its global reach through partnerships.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, serves destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, North America and Africa, with strategic partnerships playing a central role in its network growth.

The agreement is Air Peace’s latest international partnership. Earlier this year, the airline expanded similar arrangements with Turkish Airlines and Emirates, giving passengers access to wider connections across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas while strengthening Lagos’ position as a regional aviation hub.