Etihad Airways has signed a new agreement with Nigeria’s Ibom Air. The deal will connect five Nigerian cities to Etihad’s international network.
Passengers will be able to reach Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu through connecting journeys.
The agreement will take effect when Etihad launches flights to Lagos and Accra in March 2027, according to Business Insider Africa.
Combined tickets are due to go on sale on November 3, 2026.
Etihad and Ibom Air connect their networks
The agreement will allow passengers to book Etihad and Ibom Air flights on a single ticket.
Travellers will connect through Lagos or Accra. Their baggage can also be checked through to their final destination.
Connections will be available to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu.
In addition, passengers will be able to travel between Accra and Abuja or Uyo under the agreement.
For travellers heading beyond Lagos, this means they will not need to arrange separate tickets for the domestic part of their journey.
Etihad prepares for Nigeria launch
Etihad plans to begin daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Lagos on March 23, 2027.
One day later, the UAE airline is expected to launch four weekly flights to Accra.
The agreement with Ibom Air will therefore expand Etihad’s reach before its new West African services begin.
“Our ambitions in Africa are long-term, and Nigeria sits at the centre of them,” Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, Arik De, said.
Ibom Air will also gain access to passengers arriving through Etihad’s wider international network.
Etihad expands West Africa connections
Ibom Air is owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government. It operates domestic Nigerian routes as well as a service to Accra.
The airline also placed a firm order for 10 Airbus A220 aircraft in November 2021.
Meanwhile, Etihad has been building other connections in Nigeria.
In July, the airline announced an interline agreement with Air Peace. That partnership covered 20 destinations across Nigeria, West Africa and Central Africa.
The latest Ibom Air deal adds more connecting options. However, it does not make Ibom Air Etihad’s exclusive Nigerian partner.
Together, the agreements will allow Etihad to serve more destinations when its Lagos and Accra flights begin in March.