Etihad signs three African airline deals ahead of six new route launches
New agreements unlock dozens of onward destinations across West and Southern Africa
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways has strengthened its presence across Africa by signing partnership agreements with three regional airlines during July, paving the way for broader connectivity when it launches six new African destinations later this year.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier announced that it has signed an interline agreement with Zimbabwe's Fastjet, another interline partnership with Nigeria's Air Peace, and a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana-based Africa World Airlines. Together, the agreements will allow Etihad passengers to seamlessly connect to destinations across West, Central and Southern Africa once its new routes begin operating in November 2026.
Nigeria expansion
Etihad signed its interline agreement with Air Peace, Nigeria's largest airline, in Lagos on July 22. The partnership will give Etihad customers access to around 20 destinations across Nigeria as well as West and Central Africa through Air Peace's domestic and regional network.
Two days later, the airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Africa World Airlines in Accra. The agreement outlines cooperation across codeshare services, interline operations, cargo and loyalty programmes, laying the foundation for a broader strategic partnership between the two carriers.
Earlier this month, Etihad also reached an interline agreement with Zimbabwe's Fastjet. The partnership extends the airline's reach into Southern Africa ahead of the launch of its Harare service and provides travellers with additional onward connections across the region.
Etihad’s network
The agreements complement Etihad's previously announced strategic joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines and significantly expand the carrier's footprint beyond destinations served directly by its own aircraft.
The partnerships also support Etihad's broader African expansion strategy unveiled in April, when the airline announced six new destinations across the continent. The new routes are designed to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a gateway linking Africa with India, Asia and the Middle East while supporting growing passenger and cargo demand.
By establishing these partnerships before the launch of the new services, Etihad says customers will benefit from onward connectivity across key African markets from the first day of operations.
The airline noted that the timing of the expansion aligns with the UAE's deepening economic ties with Africa, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed with Nigeria in January 2026.
Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer at Etihad Airways, said Africa is among the world's fastest-growing aviation markets and that the airline has moved quickly to strengthen its presence across the continent.
He said each partnership has been tailored to the strengths of the respective carrier, with Fastjet expanding access across Southern Africa, Air Peace offering an extensive Nigerian and regional network, and Africa World Airlines providing a framework for deeper strategic cooperation in West Africa.
De added that by the time Etihad's six new African routes commence operations in November, the airline's partner network across the continent will already be in place, enabling passengers to travel seamlessly beyond Etihad's own destinations.
Etihad said tickets combining its services with partner airlines will become available as each agreement comes into effect.