Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ghana-based Africa World Airlines (AWA) have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at enhancing air connectivity between Ghana, West Africa, the Middle East and other global destinations.
The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Accra, establishes a framework for cooperation in passenger services, cargo operations, frequent flyer programmes, as well as codeshare and interline arrangements.
When fully implemented, the partnership will allow passengers travelling with Etihad Airways to purchase a single ticket from Abu Dhabi to destinations served by Africa World Airlines across Ghana and West Africa. Likewise, AWA customers will enjoy seamless access through Accra to Etihad’s extensive international network of 118 destinations.
The collaboration also seeks to strengthen trade between Ghana and the UAE through enhanced cargo services. Ghanaian exporters and businesses will gain improved access to Etihad Cargo’s global logistics network, while members of both airlines’ loyalty programmes will benefit from expanded opportunities to earn and redeem travel rewards.
The partnership comes at a time when economic and diplomatic relations between Ghana and the UAE continue to deepen, driven by increasing trade, investment and travel between the two countries.
The MoU, which took effect on July 24, 2026, will be implemented in phases, with details of the various cooperation initiatives to be announced progressively. The agreement also paves the way for Etihad Airways’ planned direct Abu Dhabi-Accra service, scheduled to commence on March 24, 2027.
Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer of Etihad Airways, Arik De, described Ghana as one of West Africa’s fastest-growing aviation markets and said Africa World Airlines was the ideal partner to strengthen the airline’s presence in the region.
“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.
Chief Operating Officer of Africa World Airlines, Sohail Mahmood, said the partnership would significantly enhance travel and business opportunities for customers.
He noted that AWA, which has connected Ghana and West Africa for more than a decade through destinations including Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Lagos, Abuja and Ouagadougou, would leverage the partnership to provide customers with direct access to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s global network while supporting international trade and investment.
Industry observers believe the agreement will further position Ghana as a key aviation hub in West Africa while improving connectivity for passengers and businesses across the region.
