Etihad Airways has announced plans to return to the Nigerian market, with daily flights to Lagos scheduled to begin between March 24 and March 27, 2027, marking the airline’s first operations to the country in several years.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Abuja between officials of the UAE’s national airline and Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The development represents another milestone in the growing aviation and diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the Etihad Airways delegation was led by the airline’s Senior Vice-President for Aeropolitical, International and Government Affairs, Khalid Humaid Al Ali. Other senior executives present included Jurriaan Pieter Stelder, Senior Vice-President for Network, Alliance and Commercial Strategy; Asma Khalifa Al Mheiri, Head of Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs; and Mouza Khadem Al Ghaithi, Diplomatic Affairs Manager.
The meeting was also attended by key officials from Nigeria’s aviation sector, including the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Umar Farouk, alongside other ministry officials.
Speaking during the meeting, Al Ali said Etihad Airways was excited to officially announce its readiness to resume operations in Nigeria after years away from the market.
He disclosed that the airline plans to begin daily services to Lagos using its modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, adding that the airline is also receiving strong encouragement from the UAE’s ambassador to commence flights to Abuja in the future.
As part of its expansion strategy in Nigeria, Etihad also confirmed that it has concluded a codeshare agreement with Air Peace, a partnership expected to improve connectivity for passengers travelling between Nigeria, the UAE, and other international destinations served by both airlines.
Welcoming the airline’s planned return, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo described the decision as another positive outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria as a preferred destination for international airlines and aviation investment.
He noted that the partnership between Etihad Airways and Air Peace would strengthen air connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE while providing passengers with more travel options.
Although Lagos will serve as the airline’s initial destination, Keyamo appealed to Etihad Airways to also consider launching services to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, highlighting the growing demand for direct international flights from northern Nigeria.
According to the minister, many passengers travelling from northern states to the UAE or transiting to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and other destinations currently have to travel to Lagos before boarding international flights. He expressed confidence that direct Abuja services would attract significant passenger traffic.
To facilitate the airline’s return, Keyamo directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to provide the necessary operational support and ensure that Etihad’s operations in Lagos commence without unnecessary delays.
Responding, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku assured the airline that suitable operational space would be provided at the airport’s temporary terminal while ongoing infrastructure upgrades at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) are completed.
To ensure preparations remain on schedule, the minister also approved the establishment of a joint working committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Aviation, aviation agencies, and Etihad Airways. The committee will begin virtual meetings next week to accelerate regulatory approvals, operational planning, and other technical requirements ahead of the planned launch.
The announcement comes months after the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, disclosed that Etihad Airways was considering the resumption of flights to Nigeria as diplomatic and aviation relations between both countries continue to improve.
Etihad Airways first launched operations to Nigeria in July 2012 before later suspending its services. Although the airline did not officially disclose the reason for its exit, the suspension was widely associated with diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the UAE, which escalated in 2021 over visa restrictions and disagreements relating to flight operations.
Relations between both countries began improving in 2023 following sustained diplomatic engagements by the Nigerian government, paving the way for the restoration of stronger aviation cooperation and renewed commercial partnerships.
The planned resumption of Etihad Airways’ daily Lagos service in March 2027 is expected to enhance travel between Nigeria and the Middle East, improve connectivity for business and leisure travellers, and further strengthen economic and tourism ties between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
