Etihad Airways has signed a strategic partnership with Africa World Airlines to expand its reach across Ghana and West Africa, paving the way for seamless passenger connections before the launch of its Abu Dhabi–Accra service in 2027.
The agreement will eventually allow travellers to book journeys on a single ticket beyond Accra across Africa World Airlines’ regional network while also strengthening cargo links and frequent flyer benefits between the two carriers.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Accra-based Africa World Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Accra establishing a strategic partnership covering codeshare and interline cooperation, cargo collaboration and frequent flyer programmes.
Once implemented, the agreement will connect the airlines’ networks, allowing Etihad passengers to travel beyond Accra on a single ticket across Africa World Airlines’ services throughout Ghana and West Africa.
The partnership will also allow Africa World Airlines customers to connect through Abu Dhabi onto Etihad’s global network of 118 destinations.
Beyond passenger services, the airlines intend to cooperate on cargo, connecting Ghanaian and West African exporters with Etihad Cargo’s global capacity.
The partnership will also include collaboration on loyalty programmes, providing members of both airlines with additional opportunities to earn and redeem rewards.
According to the airlines, the agreement comes as Ghana and the UAE continue to strengthen trade, investment and government relations, with travel demand between Accra and the UAE also increasing.
The deal took effect from July 24, with the various areas of cooperation to be introduced in stages.
Combined journeys will go on sale once interline cooperation is implemented.
The partnership also lays the groundwork for Etihad’s planned Abu Dhabi–Accra route, which is scheduled to launch on March 24, 2027.
Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “Ghana is one of West Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets, and Africa World Airlines is the natural partner there. This framework spans passenger services, cargo and loyalty, and it will connect Ghanaian travellers and businesses to Abu Dhabi and to our network across the world’s fastest-growing markets. We are here to grow with Ghana.”
Sohail Mahmood, Chief Operating Officer, Africa World Airlines, said: “Africa World Airlines has proudly connected Ghana and West Africa for more than a decade, with a network that includes, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Lagos, Abuja and Ouagadougou. This partnership with Etihad Airways across passenger, cargo and loyalty will give our customers a direct line to Abu Dhabi expansive network, while supporting greater opportunities for Ghanaian travellers and International businesses.”
