Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is set to commence four weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Accra from March 17, 2027, as part of its expansion across the African market.
The planned service was announced following the appointment of Total Air Alliance Ltd. (TAAL), a member of the GHI Assets Group, as Etihad Airways’ General Sales Agent (GSA) in Ghana.
The appointment was formally acknowledged through the signing of a Letter of Intent at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra on July 24, 2026, in the presence of senior executives from both organisations.
Etihad’s Vice President, Global Sales and Distribution, Javier Alija, and Regional General Manager for Sales, Digital and Distribution, Khaleefa Mohamed Al Hammadi, represented the airline at the ceremony.
According to the announcement, the Accra service will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and will provide passengers with one-stop connections through Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub to destinations across its global network.
The new route forms part of Etihad’s broader Africa-focused expansion strategy and is expected to strengthen air connectivity between Ghana, the UAE and other international destinations.
Nii Anyetei Akofio-Sowah, General Manager of TAAL, said preparations were already underway to position the Ghanaian market for the airline’s entry.
He said the team would focus on market development, engagement with the travel trade and building the commercial foundation for Etihad’s operations in Ghana.
“Etihad is not simply adding a route — it is bringing a complete premium travel experience to Ghana,” he said, highlighting the airline’s modern fleet, premium cabins, Abu Dhabi connections and Emirati hospitality.
TAAL and Etihad are also expected to work with travel agencies, online travel agents, corporate travel managers and other industry stakeholders to build capacity and equip the travel trade with the knowledge required to market and support the new service.
Christopher Isaiah, Group General Manager Commercial of GHI Assets Group, said the group’s experience and networks across African markets would support the airline’s entry into Ghana.
“Ghana is the beginning of something much bigger,” he said, describing the planned operation as part of a wider strategy to connect African travellers to global markets.
The announcement also points to Etihad’s growing connectivity within Africa through partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines and Air Peace, which are expected to provide passengers with access to destinations across West, East and Southern Africa.
Lola Adefope, Executive Director of TAAL, said Ghana’s growing travel market and strong diaspora links made Accra an attractive destination for Etihad’s expansion.
She said Ghanaian travellers were increasingly seeking premium quality, reliability and world-class service.
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, serves more than 120 destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America. The airline operates a fleet that includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350 aircraft.
The planned Accra service is expected to give Ghanaian leisure and corporate travellers greater access to Etihad’s international network while strengthening Ghana’s connectivity with the Gulf region and destinations beyond.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
