• Tunisair signed a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways to expand access to Middle Eastern and Asian destinations.

• The partnership supports Tunisair’s restructuring strategy amid governance challenges and sector recovery.

• Tunisia targets 11 million tourists in 2025 after hosting 10.2 million visitors in 2024.

Tunisair has partnered with Etihad Airways through a codeshare agreement as it seeks to expand its international footprint and strengthen network connectivity toward the Middle East and Asia. The partnership forms part of a broader repositioning strategy as the carrier undergoes restructuring amid a gradual recovery in Tunisia’s tourism sector.

Under the agreement, Tunisair and Etihad Airways have formalized a codeshare arrangement that allows the Tunisian carrier to improve access to Middle Eastern and Asian destinations. The deal enables passengers to travel to Etihad-operated destinations using a single ticket, a single check-in process, and through-checked baggage to the final destination.

As a result, both airlines aim to offer a smoother and more streamlined travel experience while promoting tourism flows between Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. Etihad Airways, which has pursued expansion across Africa in recent years, also expects the partnership to strengthen its foothold in North Africa.

More broadly, network expansion through strategic partnerships represents a core pillar of Tunisair’s restructuring strategy. The national carrier has faced prolonged financial and operational difficulties, largely linked to governance challenges. Although authorities have struggled to implement a comprehensive turnaround plan, Tunisair has already prioritized the reinforcement of its operational capacities.

At the same time, Tunisair positions itself as a key stakeholder in policies aimed at developing Tunisia’s aviation industry. In November 2025, the government announced plans to inject nearly $1 billion into the expansion of Tunis-Carthage International Airport, a project viewed as critical for sustaining tourism growth.

Tourism indicators have strengthened in recent years. Tunisia welcomed 10.2 million visitors in 2024, competing with South Africa for third place on the African continent. Authorities now target 11 million tourists in 2025. During the first eleven months of 2025, tourist arrivals exceeded 10.033 million, underscoring the sector’s continued momentum.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum