Etihad launches service to Nigeria

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NEW LINKS: Etihad says trade ties between UAE and Nigeria will be boosted by its new service. (Getty Images)

Etihad Airways says trade links between the UAE and Nigeria will be boosted by the launch of its flights next year from Abu Dhabi to Lagos and Abuja.

Four services a week will be operated by the airline to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, and Abuja, the country’s capital city, with a possible start date of March 2009.

“The launch of the first flights between Abu Dhabi and Nigeria will be a proud achievement for Etihad Airways which will continue the impressive growth of the airline’s global flight network,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive.

“The new service will support UAE-Nigeria trade ties and also provide a frequent service for West-African based air travellers looking to visit the UAE for shopping and holidays.”

The two Nigerian cities join Johannesburg, Cairo, Casablanca and Khartoum as part of Etihad’s route network in Africa.

The carrier said the addition of the new flights would increase bilateral trade between the UAE and Nigeria for business travellers and freight forwarders.

Serving the latest route will be one of Etihad’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft which is configured to carry 22 passengers in business class, 240 passengers in economy and which has a cargo capacity of 14 tonnes.

A start date for the flights has yet to be determined but the airline said it may begin the service in March 2009.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with the current population of 140 million set to swell to 155 million by 2010.  

As the largest city in Nigeria, with a population of 7.9 million residents, Lagos is the major driver of the country’s economy.  Abuja has a growing population and is also the political capital and home to the country’s diplomatic community.

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