Etihad Airways and Ibom Air sign an interline deal connecting Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu to Etihad’s global network from March 2027
Etihad, Ibom Air Deal Connects Five Nigerian Cities to Global Network
Etihad Airways and Nigerian carrier Ibom Air have signed an interline agreement that will connect five major Nigerian cities to the United Arab Emirates and Etihad Airways’ wider international network on a single ticket.
The agreement will allow passengers flying with Etihad Airways through Lagos and Accra to continue their journeys on Ibom Air to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu, significantly expanding travel options between Nigeria, Ghana and Etihad’s global destinations.
The partnership is expected to take effect from the launch of Etihad’s new services to Lagos and Accra in March 2027.
Under the arrangement, travellers arriving in Lagos or Accra on Etihad Airways will be able to connect seamlessly to Ibom Air flights serving the five Nigerian cities. Connections will also be available between Accra and Abuja, as well as Accra and Uyo.
Passengers will be able to make the entire journey under a single booking, while their baggage will be checked through to their final destinations, providing a more convenient travel experience for business travellers, families and tourists.
The agreement also brings Uyo and Calabar into Etihad’s expanding African connectivity network, alongside Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu.
Etihad Airways is scheduled to begin its nonstop service from Abu Dhabi to Lagos on March 23, 2027, with daily flights, while flights between Abu Dhabi and Accra are scheduled to begin on March 24, 2027, with four services each week.
Arik De, Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said the airline sees Nigeria as a central part of its long-term expansion strategy in Africa.
“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,” De said.
George Uriesi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, described the agreement as an important step in the airline’s drive to strengthen its position as a leading regional carrier in Africa.
“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. We look forward to welcoming Etihad’s guests onboard and showcasing the excellent service that defines the Ibom Air experience,” Uriesi said.
The partnership is expected to strengthen links between international travellers and Nigeria’s domestic aviation market while giving passengers greater access to cities across the country without the need for separate tickets.
Tickets combining the Etihad Airways and Ibom Air networks are scheduled to go on sale from November 3, ahead of the launch of the new services in March 2027.
