Etihad Airways will resume operations in Nigeria in March 2027 with daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights between Abu Dhabi and Lagos.
The airline announced the planned return on Friday, July 24, 2026, after its delegation met with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
The delegation was led by Captain Khalid Humaid Al Ali, Etihad’s Senior Vice-President for Aeropolitical, International and Government Affairs.
Ahead of the resumption, Etihad announced a codeshare agreement with Air Peace to improve passenger connections between Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates and other destinations.
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Lagos flights are scheduled to begin between March 24 and 27, 2027.
Keyamo welcomed the airline’s return and urged it to consider adding Abuja to its Nigerian network.
He said direct Abuja services would benefit travellers from northern Nigeria, many of whom currently connect through Lagos before flying to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other international destinations, including for Umrah.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has been directed to provide terminal space for Etihad’s Lagos operations, while a joint committee of ministry and airline officials has been established to coordinate preparations. Virtual meetings are expected to begin next week.
Etihad’s return, alongside its Air Peace partnership, is expected to strengthen Nigeria-UAE air links and expand international travel options for Nigerian passengers as Nigeria works to deepen its global aviation connections.