Etihad Airways and Air Peace have signed an interline agreement opening 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa to passengers of the Abu Dhabi carrier on a single ticket, Emerging Travel reported.

The deal, announced in Lagos on July 23, allows Etihad passengers to travel beyond Lagos and Accra onto the Nigerian carrier's network. Domestic points include Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Benin City, Owerri, Warri and Asaba, with regional destinations covering Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Bamako, Douala and Libreville.

The agreement supports Etihad's African expansion announced in April, which includes a daily Abu Dhabi to Lagos service. Once those flights begin, passengers will be able to book through Abu Dhabi and continue onto Air Peace's network. No start date has been confirmed for the Lagos route.

Arik De, chief commercial and revenue officer at Etihad, said the airline's ambitions in Africa are long term with Nigeria at their centre, describing the agreement as giving access to one of the continent's most extensive domestic and regional networks.

Nowel Ngala, chief commercial officer at Air Peace, said the arrangement would give Nigerian and West African customers access to Abu Dhabi once the new routes begin, while bringing Etihad passengers to destinations across the region.

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and among its largest economies. Bilateral trade has accelerated since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in January, and a substantial Nigerian community lives and works in the Emirates. Combined itineraries will be bookable once the agreement takes effect.

Emerging Travel is a syndication partner of IntelliNews Group.