Etihad, Ibom Air sign new Interline agreement linking Nigeria to global network

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, and Nigerian airline Ibom Air have signed an interline agreement that will allow passengers to travel beyond Lagos and Accra to five Nigerian cities on a single ticket once Etihad launches its own services to the two West African gateways in March 2027.

Under the partnership, guests arriving in Lagos or Accra on Etihad will be able to continue their journeys on Ibom Air to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu. Connections will also be available between Accra and Abuja, and between Accra and Uyo. A single booking will cover the entire itinerary, with baggage checked through to the final destination.

The agreement positions Ibom Air as a key domestic and regional partner for Etihad’s expansion into Nigeria and Ghana. Uyo and Calabar in the south join Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu on the list of Nigerian cities reachable on a single ticket with Etihad, whether passengers are travelling for business, to visit family or to explore the country.

Etihad’s nonstop services from Abu Dhabi are scheduled to begin with four weekly flights to Accra from 24 March 2027 and a daily service to Lagos from 23 March 2027. Combined tickets covering both carriers’ networks will go on sale from 3 November 2026.

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Arik De, Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: “Our ambitions in Africa are long-term, and Nigeria sits at the centre of them. 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.”

George Uriesi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, said: “This agreement marks a significant milestone in our journey to becoming a truly world-class African regional airline.

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 from next year.