Etihad Airways and Ibom Air have signed an interline agreement that will connect five Nigerian cities to Etihad’s global network when the UAE carrier launches services to Lagos and Accra in March 2027.
Announced on Monday, October 5, 2026, the deal will enable passengers to book journeys to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to their final destinations.
It will also provide connections between Accra and Abuja, and Accra and Uyo.
Etihad will launch daily Abu Dhabi-Lagos flights on March 23, 2027, followed by four weekly Abu Dhabi-Accra services from March 24. Combined itineraries will open for booking on November 3, 2026.
READ ALSO: Etihad Lands Back In Nigeria, Seals Air Peace Deal
Etihad Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said the partnership supports the airline’s long-term African expansion and would extend its reach beyond Lagos and Accra through Ibom Air’s domestic network.
Ibom Air Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, George Uriesi, described the agreement as a major milestone, saying it would give international passengers access to its destinations through a single booking and strengthen the airline’s regional role.
The deal comes as Ibom Air expands its international footprint. It launched its Uyo-Accra route on May 2, 2026, after beginning international operations from Victor Attah International Airport. The airline had earlier introduced Lagos-Accra services in 2023.
Etihad has also deepened its Nigerian airline partnerships. In July 2026, it signed an interline agreement with Air Peace covering 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa.
The latest agreement will give Etihad passengers access to five additional Nigerian cities while strengthening air links between Nigeria, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates.