Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines have signed a bilateral interline agreement aimed at expanding air travel connectivity between Nigeria, other African countries and destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
The agreement, announced in Lagos on Monday, will enable passengers to book eligible journeys involving both airlines on a single ticket, with checked baggage transferred to their final destinations where applicable.
The partnership brings together Air Peace’s domestic, regional and growing international network with Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive global operations, providing travellers with more convenient connections and reducing the complexities associated with booking separate flights.
Under the arrangement, both airlines will be able to issue tickets for qualifying itineraries that include flights operated by either carrier, while coordinating baggage handling to facilitate smoother connections.
For Nigerian travellers, the agreement is expected to provide greater access to Ethiopian Airlines’ international destinations through its Addis Ababa hub, while passengers arriving in Nigeria and other West African markets on Ethiopian Airlines services will benefit from onward connections through Air Peace’s network.
The collaboration is also expected to improve travel options for passengers departing from major Nigerian and West African cities, particularly those connecting to destinations not directly served by their originating airline.
In a joint statement announcing the partnership, the airlines described the agreement as a significant step towards strengthening aviation connectivity across Africa and improving passenger convenience.
Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, said the partnership reflected the carriers’ shared commitment to expanding travel opportunities and supporting the growth of the African aviation industry.
“We are delighted to partner with Air Peace, a leading carrier in Nigeria, through this strategic interline agreement,” Tasew said.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to enhancing connectivity, improving customer convenience, and supporting the growth of air travel across the African continent.
“By combining our strengths, we are creating more travel opportunities and bringing Africa closer to the world.”
Also commenting, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Dr Allen Onyema, described the agreement as another milestone in the airline’s efforts to strengthen African aviation and improve connections between the continent and the rest of the world.
“This partnership with Ethiopian Airlines represents another significant milestone in our commitment to strengthening Africa’s aviation connectivity and bringing the continent closer together,” Onyema stated.
“By combining Air Peace’s extensive domestic, regional network, and our growing international network with Ethiopian Airlines’ global reach, we are creating greater opportunities for seamless travel in and out of the African continent.”
He said the collaboration would extend beyond improving passenger travel by supporting stronger economic, commercial and cultural relationships among African countries and their international partners.
“Beyond expanding travel options, this collaboration reflects our shared vision of fostering stronger economic, commercial and cultural ties across Africa and beyond,” he said.
“At Air Peace, we remain committed to building strategic partnerships that enhance passenger convenience, broaden connectivity and position African aviation as a formidable force in global air transport.”
The airlines explained that the bilateral interline arrangement would simplify the travel process by allowing passengers to make qualifying bookings without purchasing separate tickets for individual segments operated by the two carriers.
Where applicable, passengers would also be able to check their baggage through to their final destinations, eliminating the need to reclaim and recheck luggage during connections.
The agreement is expected to benefit both business and leisure travellers by providing access to a wider range of destinations and reducing the inconvenience associated with multi-airline journeys.
Beyond passenger convenience, the carriers said the partnership would support regional economic integration by facilitating the movement of people, businesses and investments across Africa and international markets.
They noted that improved air connectivity remained important to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly as African economies seek to deepen commercial cooperation and expand cross-border trade.
The airlines also identified tourism as a potential beneficiary of the collaboration, saying simplified booking arrangements and broader route access could make destinations across the continent more accessible to international visitors.
Ethiopian Airlines operates an extensive network covering more than 160 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents.
The airline, a member of Star Alliance, also maintains a multi-hub strategy involving partnerships and airline operations in Togo, Malawi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline, operates domestic, regional and international services, with an expanding route network and fleet serving markets within and beyond Africa.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the airlines’ ability to connect passengers across their respective networks without requiring either carrier to operate every segment of a journey.
Although the agreement establishes a framework for integrated ticketing and baggage services, the airlines did not specify the initial routes covered, the commencement date for passenger bookings or the commercial terms of the arrangement.
Both carriers reaffirmed their commitment to improving customer service, expanding travel opportunities and supporting the development of a more connected and competitive African aviation industry.
ARISE News
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