Ethiopian Airlines and Air Côte d'Ivoire have entered into a codeshare agreement, effective this month.

According to the new partnership, passengers originating from West African countries, especially from Lagos, Bamako, Cotonou, Accra and Lomé, will board Air Côte d'Ivoire flights to Abidjan and enjoy seamless connections from there on Ethiopian’s direct flight to Newark.  

Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said Ethiopian’s new Newark flight via Abidjan would complement the carrier’s existing Newark service via Lomé, which is operated together with strategic partner, ASKY Airlines. “Such partnerships among sisterly African airlines are crucial for African countries to fill the connectivity vacuum in the continent and for African carriers to regain their market share in their home market.”

René Decurey, CEO of Air Côte d’Ivoire said: "A few months ago, Abidjan airport was certified to carry out direct links with the US. It is now time to launch these direct flights and Air Côte d'Ivoire is very happy to carry out the operation in codeshare with Ethiopian Airlines. This agreement will allow Air Côte d'Ivoire to sell the flights as well. We will therefore be able to offer passengers on our network, flights to the USA via Abidjan with a single Air Côte d'Ivoire ticket. We are convinced that this partnership is the beginning of a long collaboration that will fully benefit our two airlines and African passengers who used to pass through Europe to travel to the USA."