The partnership will link Air Peace’s domestic and regional network with Ethiopian Airlines’ global destinations, allowing passengers to book connecting journeys on a single ticket and enjoy through-checked baggage services where applicable.
Ethiopian Airlines and Nigeria’s Air Peace have signed a bilateral interline agreement aimed at strengthening air transport connectivity across Africa and expanding international travel options for passengers.
The agreement will enable both airlines to integrate eligible passenger journeys across their respective networks, allowing customers to book itineraries involving flights operated by the two carriers under a single ticket.
Under the arrangement, passengers will also benefit from coordinated baggage services, including through-checked baggage to their final destinations where applicable, reducing the need for separate bookings and baggage re-checks during connecting journeys.
The partnership is expected to improve access between Nigeria, other West African markets and international destinations served by Ethiopian Airlines, while providing passengers arriving in Nigeria with additional onward travel options through Air Peace’s domestic and regional network.
Through the arrangement, Air Peace’s extensive domestic and regional operations will connect with Ethiopian Airlines’ international network, which spans destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
Passengers departing from major Nigerian and West African cities will consequently have access to Ethiopian Airlines’ wider international destinations through its Addis Ababa hub. Similarly, international travellers arriving on Ethiopian Airlines flights will be able to connect to more destinations within Nigeria and West Africa through Air Peace’s network.
The arrangement is designed to simplify connecting journeys, improve passenger convenience and provide a more integrated travel experience across the two airlines’ operations.
Commenting on the agreement, Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, said the partnership reflected both carriers’ commitment to improving connectivity and supporting the expansion of air travel across the continent.
He described Air Peace as a leading Nigerian carrier, noting that the collaboration would combine the airlines’ respective strengths to create additional travel opportunities and strengthen Africa’s connection with the rest of the world.
Tasew said the agreement would enhance customer convenience while supporting the broader development of the African aviation industry.
Similarly, Air Peace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Allen Onyema, described the partnership as an important milestone in the airline’s efforts to strengthen connectivity across Africa.
Onyema said combining Air Peace’s domestic and regional network, alongside its growing international operations, with Ethiopian Airlines’ global reach would create more opportunities for seamless travel into and out of the continent.
He added that the collaboration extended beyond passenger transportation, with the potential to strengthen economic, commercial and cultural relationships across African countries and international markets.
According to him, Air Peace remains committed to building strategic partnerships that improve passenger convenience, expand connectivity and position African aviation as a stronger competitor in the global air transport industry.
AfCFTA integration and economic opportunities
The agreement is also expected to support regional integration and economic development by facilitating the movement of people, businesses and investments between African markets and international destinations.
As African countries pursue deeper economic cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), improved air connectivity remains an important requirement for strengthening trade relationships, business mobility and tourism.
By linking the networks of two major African airlines, the partnership is expected to reduce some of the logistical challenges associated with connecting flights and improve access to markets across the continent.
Stronger air links could also support business travel, encourage tourism and make it easier for international visitors to reach destinations within Nigeria and other West African countries.
For the aviation sector, the agreement reflects the growing importance of partnerships between African carriers in expanding network reach without requiring passengers to rely exclusively on individual airlines’ direct flight operations.
The arrangement also provides both carriers with an opportunity to extend their market reach, improve the accessibility of their destinations and attract passengers seeking more convenient connections across Africa and beyond.
With simplified ticketing arrangements, coordinated baggage handling and access to wider route networks, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Peace are seeking to strengthen the passenger experience while contributing to a more connected African aviation market.
The partnership underscores the role of airline cooperation in supporting continental integration, expanding travel opportunities and strengthening Africa’s position in international aviation.
