Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Africa World Airlines (AWA), the Accra-based carrier serving Ghana and the wider West African region for more than a decade, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership.
The agreement covers codeshare and interline cooperation, cargo colla boration, and frequent flyer programmes.
According to a statement shared with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the MoU, signed in Accra on Wednesday, provides a framework for the two airlines to connect their networks.
It said that once implemented, the partnership would allow Etihad passengers to travel on a single ticket beyond Accra to destinations on AWA’s network across Ghana and West Africa, while AWA passengers would gain access to Abu Dhabi and onward connections across Etihad’s network of 118 destinations.
The statement said the partnership would also extend beyond passenger services to include cargo operations, enabling Ghanaian and West African exporters to benefit from Etihad Cargo’s global network, as well as cooperation on loyalty programmes to give members of both airlines more opportunities to earn and redeem rewards.
It noted that the partnership came at a time when Ghana and the UAE were strengthening trade, investment and government relations, with increasing travel between Accra and the UAE.
The MoU took effect from July 24, 2026, with the various areas of cooperation to be implemented in phases.
The partnership also paves the way for Etihad Airways’ direct Abu Dhabi–Accra service, scheduled to commence on March 24, 2027.
Combined journeys will go on sale as soon as the interline agreement takes effect.
Mr Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer of Etihad Airways, said Ghana remained one of West Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets and described Africa World Airlines as the ideal partner.
“This framework spans passenger services, cargo and loyalty, and it will connect Ghanaian travellers and businesses to Abu Dhabi and to our network across the world’s fastest-growing markets. We are here to grow with Ghana,” he said.
Mr Sohail Mahmood, Chief Operating Officer of Africa World Airlines, said the airline had proudly connected Ghana and West Africa for more than a decade through destinations including Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Lagos, Abuja and Ouagadougou.
He said the partnership with Etihad Airways across passenger, cargo and loyalty services would provide customers with seamless access to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s extensive global network while creating greater opportunities for Ghanaian travellers and international businesses.
The statement said details of the interline, codeshare, cargo and loyalty arrangements would be announced as each phase of the partnership was implemented.
Source: GNA
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