Etihad, Ibom Air Seal Deal To Connect Five Nigerian Cities
Etihad Airways and Ibom Air have entered into an interline agreement that will allow international passengers to connect to five Nigerian cities on a single ticket from March 2027.
Under the partnership, passengers flying into Lagos or Accra with Etihad will be able to continue their journeys on Ibom Air to Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Enugu.
The agreement will also provide connections between Accra and Abuja, as well as Accra and Uyo. Passengers will be able to make the entire journey through a single booking, with their baggage checked through to their final destination.
The airlines said the arrangement would expand travel options for passengers visiting Nigeria for business, family engagements and tourism, while improving connectivity between international routes and Ibom Air’s domestic network.
The agreement comes ahead of Etihad’s planned launch of direct services to Lagos and Accra in March 2027. The airline is scheduled to commence daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Lagos on March 23, 2027, while services to Accra will begin the following day with four weekly flights.
Etihad Airways’ Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said Nigeria remained central to the airline’s long-term expansion plans in Africa.
He said the partnership with Ibom Air would enable Etihad to provide passengers with connections beyond Lagos and Accra immediately after launching its services to the region.
“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,” De said.
He added that establishing the partnership ahead of the new international services would give Etihad access to a wider network of destinations across Nigeria.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, described the agreement as a major milestone in the airline’s expansion strategy.
According to him, the partnership would allow international travellers to access Ibom Air’s destinations through a single booking, making travel more convenient.
He said the agreement also positioned Ibom Air as an important domestic and regional connectivity partner for Etihad’s operations in Nigeria and Ghana.
“We look forward to welcoming Etihad’s guests onboard and showcasing the excellent service that defines the Ibom Air experience,” Uriesi said.
Tickets combining the networks of both airlines are expected to go on sale from November 3, ahead of the commencement of the new connections in March 2027.
