Etihad Airways has strengthened its presence in Africa by signing three partnership agreements with regional carriers during July, expanding connectivity across the continent ahead of the launch of six new African destinations from November 2026.The Abu Dhabi-based airline signed an interline agreement with Zimbabwe’s Fastjet earlier this month, followed by an interline agreement with Nigeria’s Air Peace on July 22 and a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana-based Africa World Airlines on July 24.The partnerships are designed to provide seamless onward connections for passengers travelling on Etihad’s upcoming African routes, extending the airline’s reach across West, Central and Southern Africa through regional partner networks.Under the agreement with Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, Etihad passengers will gain access to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West Africa and Central Africa. Meanwhile, the Memorandum of Understanding with Africa World Airlines covers potential cooperation in codeshare operations, interline services, cargo and loyalty programmes.The agreement with Fastjet complements Etihad’s planned launch of services to Harare by extending connectivity into Southern Africa through the Zimbabwean carrier’s regional network.The latest agreements also build on Etihad’s existing strategic joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines, further expanding the airline’s ability to offer connections beyond destinations served by its own aircraft.In April, Etihad announced plans to launch six new African destinations as part of its strategy to position Abu Dhabi as a gateway connecting Africa with India and Asia. The airline said the expanded network will support both passenger travel and cargo demand across trade corridors linking the regions.The partnerships are expected to ensure that onward connectivity is available across multiple African markets from the first day the new routes become operational.Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “Africa is one of the fastest-growing aviation regions in the world, and this month we have moved quickly to grow with it. Three agreements in July, each shaped to its market: the reach of Fastjet in Southern Africa, the breadth of Air Peace’s network and the depth of a strategic framework with Africa World Airlines. When our new African routes take off, the partner network behind them will already be in place.”
