This is a detailed guide on the list of trusted local airlines in Nigeria and the services they provide.
Travelers can take advantage of several local airlines in Nigeria that offer cheap flights within the country.
Nigerians have recently enjoyed easy air travel with many public and commercial airlines operating in various states.
Also, these local airlines in Nigeria have provided excellent customer service and a wide range of onboard offices, making them the best in the country. As a result, most of these airlines offer a better flying experience than their competitors.
Since we are all concerned about our safety. Everyone wants to return home after a vacation, therefore they choose the airline with the fewest deaths. Fortunately, a few Nigerian airlines are certified to provide all of these services.
What is an Airline?
An airline is a business that specializes in providing air transportation services for passengers as well as freight.
Flights are used to provide these services, airlines do collaborate with other airlines to sell and run the same flight under the terms of codeshare agreements, in which they both offer and operate the same trip.
An air operating certificate or license granted by a governmental aviation authority certifies that an airline company is operating legally. An airline is either a scheduled airline or a charter airline.
Nigeria has twenty (20) approved airports and many controlled airstrip and heliport locations together with 23 domestic airlines, 554 pilots, and 913 engineers.
1700 cabin crew members are employed by the local airlines in Nigeria. Over 22 foreign airlines fly into Nigeria which is Africa’s most populated country.
List of Local Airlines in Nigeria
In this article, we will consider the top 17 local airlines in Nigeria, that give travelers a safe and sound trip to different places in Nigeria and other parts of countries in the world and which is considered the best local airline in Nigeria.
1. Air Peace
Air Peace is one of the local airlines in Nigeria. Allen Onyema, a Nigerian lawyer and businessman, founded the privately owned Nigerian airline in 2013.
The company’s headquarters is located in Lagos, Nigeria. Over the entire country, Air Peace offers daily passenger and charter services.
Destinations for Air Peace can be found locally and internationally in places such as Accra, Ghana; Gambia; Liberia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; South Africa; and the United Arab Emirates.
In Nigeria, it stops in Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Owerri, Port HarcourtPort, Uyo, and Yola before heading back to Abuja.
They operate seven aircraft types, including the Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-500, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 777-300, Embraer ERJ-145, and Embraer E195-E2, to provide short and long-haul travel services that are safe, efficient, pleasant, and moderate.
All the three airline’s class options for passengers namely the Business Class, Premium Class, and Premium Economy class have their unique advantages for passengers to take advantage of.
As one of the local airlines in Nigeria when you fly with Air Peace Airlines, you’ll be treated to a courteous and professional crew, including experienced pilots and flight attendants.
Air Peace allows economy class customers to check-in 25kg of luggage, while business class passengers can check-in 40kg of luggage. It is without a doubt one of Nigeria’s greatest domestic airlines.
You can visit them on www.flyairpeace.com
2. Azman Air
Mallam Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the founder of Azman Air, founded the company in 2010. Kano State’s Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport serves as their corporate headquarters.
In 2014, Azman began operating local flights in Nigeria. To get from Kano to Lagos to Abuja to Lagos to Maiduguri to Kaduna to Port Harcourt to Birnin Kebbi to Yola, there are more than eight possible destinations. “FLY SAFE, FLY AZMAN,” is the airline’s tagline.
The airline focuses on providing top-notch aviation services and appears to be one of the fastest-growing local airlines in Nigeria and the most prominent domestic carrier.
Some of their other distinguishing characteristics are excellent passenger interactions, enticing online offerings, and operational capability measured by both promptness and safety.
As of recently, they’ve added two new-generation planes to their fleet, which includes the B737 series.
Boeing 777, the first of its sort in Nigeria’s aviation history, will lead the 2016 Hajj activities, as well as other aircraft. Azman air ply’s these destinations Kano, Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Yola, Maiduguri, Kebbi, and Port Harcourt.
You can contact them through: www.airazman.com
3. MedView Airline
The Murtala Muhammed International in Lagos is home to the MedView Airline’s headquarters, one of the top regional and local airlines in Nigeria. MedView Airlines also known as the airline of Nigeria began operations in 2007 a year after Arik Air commenced operations.
They begin as a charter airline that transported Nigerian citizens on Hajj flights; since then, they have expanded their services to include international and domestic flights, as well as rescue operations for Muslim pilgrims in other states. In 2012, the airline began commercial operations in Nigeria.
Med-View Airline one of the local airlines in Nigeria flies to and from Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, and Yola on eight regular routes. Additionally, it now flies to Accra in Ghana and Britain’s London Gatwick Airport.
Medview Airlines is one of the top local airlines in Nigeria because of its simplicity and inexpensive costs. The airline’s Blue Flyer program rewards frequent flyers with points.
VIP Lounge access, no need for check-in and boarding, as well as an increased baggage allowance of 60kg to 76kg on international flights are some of the benefits.
Their aircraft are always clean and well-maintained. Flight attendants work very hard to make sure that every customer has a safe and comfortable flight. In all of the airline’s planes, there is enough legroom and overhead storage space.
One can visit their website through: www.medviewairline.com
4. Dana Air
Dana Air is one of the local airlines in Nigeria. Considering Dana Air’s past, the airline has significantly improved since the 2012 tragedy.
This allowed the airline to reopen in 2014 under the direction of Francois Bouteiller, director of flight operations. Dana Airlines Limited, a Dana Group company, is a privately owned airline that operates Dana Air.
Dana Air, based in Ikeja, Nigeria, offers both domestic and charter flights, its white, red, and blue planes with the slogan “the smartest way to fly” offer low-cost trips.
The airline is also responsible for the operation of a virtual carrier named Imo Air, which operates scheduled passenger flights in Imo State.
Dana Air currently has five aircraft, one Boeing 737-500 and four McDonnell Douglas MD-83s, which will be replaced by a Boeing 737-800.
Dana Air is also acquiring five Boeing 737-800s from Ryanair to bolster its fleet. Dana Flights are required, yet satisfying. All flights have music and entertainment, as well as light dinners.
A flight’s unique feeding requirements must be established beforehand. Cloud 9 is the airline’s in-flight magazine.
Visit them here: www.flydanaair.com
5. ARIK Air
The airline was founded in 2002 but commenced operation in October 2006. It is one of the major local airlines in Nigeria. Their headquarters is in Muritala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
They fly domestic and international flights with hubs at Nnamdi Azikiwe and Kotoka International Airports. Arik Air flies to regional and long-distance locations across Africa.
Arik Air has designed a residential system for Nigeria and West Africa. It already served distant and transcontinental locations in the UK and the US.
Depending on your location and class of travel, you may be charged an excess baggage tax if your bag exceeds 30kg.
Their fleet now consists of 22 Boeing 737-700, 737-800, CRJ900, 787-9, CRJ1000, and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft. These planes can accommodate 72 to 149 passengers.
Arik air ticket rates vary depending on your booking class (economy or business), destination, and departure time. Ticket prices are likely to rise if purchased less than 48 hours before departure.
You can visit their website via: www.arikair.com.
6. First Nation Airline
First Nation was created in 2011 by former Bellview CEO Kayode Odukoya. First Nation Airways Ltd is a Nigerian airline based at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
First Nation airline offers booked traveler flights to Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.
The airline has three Airbus A319 aircraft. The airline follows the SSS standard, which focuses on Safety, on-time Scheduling, and Service.
Business-class passengers can check-in up to 40kg of luggage, while economy-class passengers can only check-in up to 20kg.
Visit them via www.flyfirstnation.com
7. AERO Contractors
Aero Contractors has a long history in the African aviation industry. It is one of the best local airlines in Nigeria.
The airline is marketed as “the reliable way to fly,” and it flies domestic and regional flights at reasonable prices.
Over 1,300 people work at Aero Air located in Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos which was established in 1959.
Aero has a fleet of 16 fixed-wing aircraft, including one Boeing 737-400, two Boeing 737-500s, one De Havilland Dash 8-Q200, one De Havilland Dash 8-Q300, and two De Havilland Dash 8-Q400s, which it utilizes to deliver the best possible service to its customers.
Aero Contractors has served different cities in Nigeria including Abuja, Benin City; Calabar; Kano; Enugu; Lagos; Owerri; Port Harcourt; and Uyo. Aero Contractors are concerned about the well-being of their passengers.
Aero Contractors passengers are always interested in the beneficial seat pitch and suitable legroom is evident.
For the convenience of passengers, they also provide Wi-Fi and movies as well as individual displays and headphones for passengers to use. In-flight publications are also available.
Visit their website: www.acn.aero for more info.
8. MAX Air
Max Air is one of the local airlines in Nigeria. Max Air (NG), once a charter airline, began booking passengers flights to Nigerian locations in 2018.
Until 2018, the airline was known for its Hajj, Umrah, and charter flight services. Upon dispatch, Max Air’s management pledged their commitment to service excellence and consistency.
Max Air has proven to be one of Nigeria’s most trustworthy carriers. The airline, based in Kano, is swiftly establishing itself as a safe, trustworthy, and affordable flight provider in Nigeria.
Kano, Yola, and Sokoto are all served by Max Air. These sites were chosen to meet the needs of Nigerian business explorers.
Max Air passengers are entitled to one piece of checked-in baggage weighing up to 20kg and one piece of in-cabin baggage weighing up to 8kg.
For more info visit them on www.maxair.com.ng
9. Overland Airways
Overland airway was formally established on September 17, 1998. It is a charter and scheduled flight operator registered with the FAA.
In 2002, when the airline first began flying, it employed about 190 people. This is one of the local airlines in Nigeria.
The main hub of Overland Airways is Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State’s Ikeja, where the company is based.
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja serves as the hub for the airline, which flies to 10 destinations in Nigeria.
Its fleet includes four ATR 42s, three ATR 72s, and two Beechcraft 1900Ds, and it serves many important cities in Nigeria, including Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Bauchi, and Dutse.
Visit their website via: www.overlandairways.com
10. IRS Airlines
IRS Airlines is one of the local airlines in Nigeria. In 2002, IRS Airlines was founded, and it currently operates flights to and from many Nigerian cities.
It began operations in March 2010 and is based in Abuja at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, with a secondary base at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed Airport.
The IRS Airlines hanger has five Fokker 100s and one Fokker F28 Mk4000 as of April 2010.
Taxi services are excellent, flight delays or cancellations are rare, and the airline cares about the safety and comfort of its passengers, according to customer reports of IRS Airlines.
11. Ibom Air
Ibom airline is one of the local airlines in Nigeria. It was founded in 2019 as a state-owned airline. The airline is the first in Nigeria to be owned by a state government.
Its first route to be completed was Victor Attah Airport Uyo to Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The cooperation between Ibom Airlines and Dana air aims to provide Nigerian travelers with the best and most comfortable service possible.
All five of its destinations in Nigeria are within a two-hour drive of each other. Seven planes are available to its passengers to serve its status as one of Nigeria’s leading airlines.
You can contact them via their website at www.ibomair.com
12. Kabo Air
Kabo Air was established in February 1980 by Dr. Alhaji Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo and started operations in April 1981. It is one of the local airlines in Nigeria.
Kabo is headquartered in Kano state and its operation is being carried out in Mallam Aminu international airport, kano state.
Kabo Air originally operated special charter services for corporate bodies, executives, and government officials.
The company stopped operating domestic services in 2001 when they focus solely on Hajj flights and international charters.
However, in 2009 the airline received approval to start international scheduled services.
13. TAT Nigeria
Nigerian virtual charter airline TAT Nigeria operated in Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. TAT Nigeria frequently journeys Christian pilgrimage to Israel.
TAT Nigeria operated as a virtual airline due to its lack of a fleet and reliance on aircraft chartered from other companies. Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 747-400 were previously employed.
14. Dornier Aviation AIEP Ltd
Dornier Aviation is one of the local airlines in Nigeria that is 40% Nigerian-owned and 60% foreign-owned, they offer local flights on a charter basis.
It was established in the year 1979 in Kaduna, with its headquarters located at General Aviation Service Centre, Old Kaduna Airport, Kawo, Kaduna state.
They do not offer scheduled services because they have a fleet of 4 planes. They do offer services such as agricultural flying, emergency medical evacuation services, and aerial photography.
You can contact them through www.dananig.aero
Also See: Airforce Comprehensive Schools In Nigeria
15. Allied Air
The allied airline is one of the local airlines in Nigeria. This airline was founded by Valentine Tongo in 1998. Scheduled and charter services are offered in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
It has different routes locally and internationally and runs five times a week. Liege is also served regularly.
A total of four Boeing 727 Freighter Aircraft and three Boeing 737-400F aircraft have been added to the Allied airline fleet in other to improve their services.
You can visit www.alliedairng.com for more info
16. Pan African Airlines
The Bristow group owns PAN African Airlines. It is one of the local airlines in Nigeria, which specializes in a helicopter, and fixed-wing services to oil industries.
It is located at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Old Domestic, Ikeja, Lagos state.
17. Green Africa Airways
Green Africa Airways Ltd is a Nigerian start-up airline, based in Lagos, Nigeria. Babawande Afolabi, who serves as the chief executive officer founded the company on 15 June 2015.
It commenced operations on 12 August 2021 with the first aircraft landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria.
Green Africa Airways as one of the local airlines in Nigeria hopes to start serving the Nigerian domestic market before expanding to the rest of the African continent. It has five airplanes for passenger and delivery operations.
You can visit greenafrica.com for more info
In this post, you have had the chance of being exposed to the list of local airlines in Nigeria, and we hope you found it useful. We hope you have a safe trip with any of these local airlines in Nigeria.