Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines have signed a bilateral interline agreement aimed at strengthening connectivity between Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.
The agreement, signed in Lagos on Tuesday, marks a significant development in African aviation, bringing together two major carriers that were previously on opposite sides of the controversy surrounding the proposed Nigeria Air project.
Under the partnership, passengers will be able to travel on a single ticket across the two airlines’ networks, enjoy through-checked baggage and access seamless connections to multiple international destinations.
The announcement described the agreement as a strategic partnership between Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa’s largest carriers, and Air Peace, one of the continent’s fastest-growing airlines.
The deal also adds to Air Peace’s expanding network of international partnerships, following interline agreements with four major global carriers — Etihad Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways — earlier in 2026.
The latest agreement is expected to expand travel options for passengers while strengthening cooperation between African airlines and improving the continent’s aviation connectivity.
Reacting to the development, the source of the announcement credited President Bola Tinubu’s aviation policy direction, particularly his decision to prioritise strengthening existing indigenous airlines rather than pursuing the establishment of a national carrier.
The statement described the administration’s approach as a departure from what it called an outdated national-carrier model, arguing that supporting existing Nigerian operators was yielding dividends.
It also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for implementing the administration’s aviation reforms.
According to the statement, the partnership demonstrates growing international confidence in Nigerian aviation, stressing that global airlines are increasingly seeking partnerships with Nigerian operators rather than attempting to replace them.
“Today, the world is coming to partner with us, not to replace us,” the statement declared.
It added that the agreement represented an opportunity for African carriers to complement one another, expand their reach and advance the continent’s aviation industry.
