Over the last decade, there has been a surge in the number of domestic airlines in Nigeria.
Typically, these airlines fly passengers to the main cities in the country such as Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, and Enugu. Also, there are some airlines that provide private charter services.
Domestic Airlines in Nigeria
Some of the notable domestic airlines in Nigeria include the likes of Arik Air, Dana Air, Air Peace and many others.
In this post, we have put together a list of the local airlines in the country and their brief profiles.
Arik Air
Arik Air is one of the major airlines in the country. The airline operates from two hubs, one at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos and the other at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The head office of Arik Air is located at the Arik Air Aviation Centre on the grounds of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja.
The company took over the former Nigeria Airways facilities in Lagos in 2006. Subsequently, it took delivery of 2 new Bombardier aircraft which was used to fly domestic routes throughout Nigeria.
In 2010, Arik Air announced that it had transported its 5 millionth passenger. In 2012, the airline again disclosed that it had transported its 10 millionth passenger.
Currently, Arik Air has a vast domestic network covering major states in Nigeria. Also, there are other West African destinations on its schedule.
Aero Contractors
Aero Contractors is another Nigerian airline with headquarters at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
Established in 1959, the airline operates domestic and international schedule services, air charter, and third party aircraft operations, largely in support of Nigeria’s extensive oil and gas industry.
The airline has two wings; Fixed Wing, for scheduled passenger services in Nigeria and West Africa, and Rotary Wing, for the helicopter services for oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
Unfortunately, Aero Contractors was adversely affected by the economic crisis leading to the suspension of all scheduled operations with effect from September 1, 2016.
As of 2017, Aero Contractors had a total of 7 aircraft which include Boeing and De Havilland models. The company serves Accra in Ghana as well as major cities in Nigeria like Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Sokoto.
Overland Airways
Based in Ikeja, Overland Airways was founded in 2002. The company’s fleet has 9 aircraft and delivers passengers to 10 major destinations. These include Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Bauchi, Dutse, Ibadan, Ilorin, Jalingo and Ikeja.
Air Peace
Air Peace is reputed to be one of the best domestic airlines in the country. it was founded in 2013 and currently delivers to 13 destinations
Apart from flying to major cities in Nigeria like Abuja, Akure, Calabar, Enugu etc, Air Peace flies to Accra, Freetown, Banjul Dakar and Monrovia.
The company’s head office is located at 25 Sobo Arobiodu Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
Air Peace was set up with the vision to be ever dependable through the creation of seamless connections and network options for domestic, regional and international markets.
Dana Air
Dana Air is another major airline in the country. The airline was founded in 2008 and it is currently headquartered in Ikeja and based out of Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The company has a total of 4 aircraft which fly to major destinations in Nigeria like Abuja, Lagos, Owerri, Port Harcourt and Uyo.
Med-view Airlines
Founded in 2007, Med-View Airline is one of the major airlines in the country. The airline began by operating Hajj flights but has since expanded into regional and long-haul scheduled passenger routes.
After successfully launching in 2007, the authorities of the National Hajj Commission called upon Med-view to help carry out rescue operations for pilgrims stranded in Ilorin, Lagos, Sokoto, Maiduguri and Yola that were traveling to Saudi Arabia as well as those stranded in Saudi Arabia during inbound to Nigeria. However, Med-view is currently banned from operating in the European Union.
In 2017, Med-view Airlines Plc was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Med-view Airline is a partner with Euro-Atlantic Airways of Lisbon, Portugal and the Saudi Air Cargo. The company also holds business relationship with Pluna Air of Uruguay and Air Atlanta of Iceland.
The head office of Med-view is located on 21 Olowu Street, Off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
IRS Airlines
IRS Airline is an Abuja based airline. It has a main hub at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and it operates scheduled domestic passenger services.
The airline has fleet sizes of 4 aircraft and currently delivers to 6 destinations which include Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri and Yola. IRS Airline was established in 2002 and started its operations in March of the same year.
First Nation Airways
Founded in 2011, First Nation Airways is another domestic airline that operates a single aircraft and delivers to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Azman Air
Azman Air is a Kano-based domestic airline company that was established in 2010 by the Nigerian businessman, Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina. The main base of the airline is at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano.
The airline has a fleet size of 5 aircrafts and currently operates services to the following destinations in Nigeria: Kano – Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Kaduna International Airport, Yola Airport, Maiduguri International Airport, Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Kebbi and the Port Harcourt International Airport.
Max Air
Max Air is a Nigerian charter airline with headquarters in the Kano Airport. The airline was incorporated in 2003 and currently has a fleet size of 8 aircraft.
The airline was set up to pursue and deliver world-class excellent services based on efficiency and integrity that would stand us out in the aviation industry.
Max Air is known for their reputation when it comes to reliable and safety conscious air travel.
Currently, Max Air works in partnership with Nigeria and other African Government, especially during Hajj operations.