Discover the list of local and international airlines in Nigeria and their prices, websites, and routes. Get the best flying experience with this guide!
Which are the approved airlines operating in Nigeria? How many airlines are operating in Nigeria? Which is the biggest airline in Nigeria? Has International Airport opened in Nigeria? How many international airlines are in Nigeria? How many private airlines are in Nigeria? What is the new airline in Nigeria? Which is the richest airline in the world? Which is the safest airline in Nigeria? Which states in Nigeria have an international airport? Is Minna airport functional? Who is the first airline owner in Nigeria? Which airport has the longest runway in Nigeria?
List Of Airlines In Nigeria
See Also: Registered Lottery Operators In Nigeria
Aero Contractors
This is one of the approved airlines in Nigeria. This Nigerian airline company was founded in 1959 ad is based at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. It operates helicopter services and fixed-wing domestic and international scheduled passenger services, air charter and third party aircraft operations, largely in support of Nigeria’s extensive oil and gas industry. Forty percent of their shares are owned by the Ibru family and 60 percent are owned by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
Aero flies to and fro the following destinations in Nigeria with their 7 fleets:
List Of Local Airlines In Nigeria
- Abuja – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Asaba – Asaba International Airport
- Benin City – Benin Airport
- Calabar – Magaret Ekpo International Airport
- Kaduna – Kaduna Airport
- Kano – Aminu Kano Airport
- Enugu – Akanu Ibiam International Airport
- Lagos – Murtala Mohammed International Airport Hub
- Owerri – Imo Airport
- Port Harcourt – Port Harcourt International Airport
- Uyo – Akwa Ibom Airport
- Sokoto – Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport
You can contact Aero by visiting their website at www.flyaero.com
Air Peace
This private Nigerian airline was founded in 2013 with its head office in Ikeja, Lagos. Air Peace is a flag carrier and the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa. They provide passenger and charter services, serve the major cities of Nigeria and fly to several West African destinations and the Middle East.
Nigerian lawyer and businessman Allen Onyema founded Air Peace in 2013.
Air Peace flies to the following destinations in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and UAE with their 31 fleets:
- Cameroon; Douala International Airport
- Gambia; Banjul International Airport
- Ghana; Accra, Kotoka International Airport
- Abuja; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Akure; Akure Airport
- Asaba; Asaba International Airport
- Awka; Anambra International Cargo Airport
- Benin City; Benin Airport
- Calabar; Margaret Ekpo International Airport
- Enugu; Akanu Ibiam International Airport
- Gombe; Gombe Lawanti International Airport
- Ibadan; Ibadan Airport
- Ilorin; Ilorin International Airport
- Kaduna; Kaduna International Airport
- Kano; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
- Lagos; Murtala Muhammed International Airport
- Makurdi; Makurdi Airport
- Owerri; Sam Mbakwe Airport
- Port Harcourt; Port Harcourt International Airport
- Uyo; Victor Attah International Airport
- Warri; Osubi Airport
- Yola; Yola Airport
- Niger; Niamey Diori Hamani International Airport
- Senegal; Dakar, Blaise Diagne International Airport
- Sierra Leone; Freetown, Lungi International Airport
- South Africa; Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport
- United Arab Emirates; Dubai International Airport
To contact Air Peace, here is their website: flyairpeace.com
Allied Air Cargo
The cargo airline is based in Lagos and operates scheduled and charter services in Nigeria and throughout Africa. Its main base is Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. Allied Air Cargo was established in 1998 and owned by Allied Air Limited (Valentine Tongo is the main shareholder). Its main destinations include Accra, Freetown, Monrovia, Entebbe, Malabo and Liege with their four fleets. More about them can be seen on their website: www.alliedairng.com
Arik Air
The Nigerian airline operates mainly from two hubs: Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Arik Air, which was founded in 2002, and commenced operations on 30 October 2006, serves a network of regional and mid-haul destinations within Africa. Arik Air is owned by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
Arik Air flies to Trinidad and Tobago and Amsterdam, London and Madrid in Europe. Furthermore, they fly to Atlanta, Miami, and Houston in the United States and Birmingham in the United Kingdom and to London Heathrow and Johannesburg and New York JFK and Dubai.
The airline can be reached on its website at www.arikair.com
Azman Air
The Kano based domestic airline company was established in 2010 by businessman Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina but didn’t begin operations until 2014. Azman operates scheduled domestic passenger services with its main base in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Azman Air operates the following destinations with five fleets:
- Abuja – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Asaba – Asaba International Airport
- Benin City – Benin Airport
- Birnin Kebbi – Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport
- Gombe – Gombe Lawanti International Airport
- Kaduna – Kaduna International Airport
- Kano – Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Hub
- Lagos – Murtala Muhammed International Airport
- Maiduguri – Maiduguri International Airport
- Owerri – Sam Mbakwe Airport
- Port Harcourt – Port Harcourt International Airport
- Dakar – Blaise Diagne International Airport
- Jeddah – King Abdulaziz International Airport
Azman Air Services LTD is owned by Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina and can be contacted via their website at www.airazman.com
Dana Air
This Nigerian airline was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Ikeja and based out of Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport. They have a fleet size of eight and serve the following destinations:
- Abuja – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Enugu – Enugu Airport
- Lagos – Murtala Muhammed International Airport base
- Owerri – Sam Mbakwe Airport
- Port Harcourt – Port Harcourt International Airport
- Uyo – Akwa Ibom Airport
Dana Air is rumoured to be owned by the Indian company Dana Group. Their website address is flydanaair.com
Dornier Aviation Nigeria
The Kaduna based airline operates Dornier aircraft in Nigeria on a charter basis, as well as running a fixed-base and maintenance operation. It also undertakes agricultural flying, aerial photography and emergency medical evacuation services. Its main base is Old Kaduna Airport. Dornier Aviation Nigeria was established in 1979 and operates no scheduled services with its five fleets. 40 percent of its shares are privately owned by Nigerians and 60 percent belong to foreign investors. Their website is at www.dananig.aero
Green Africa Airways
The new low-cost carrier was founded in 2015 by Babawande Afolabi for the Nigerian air travel market. They didn’t commence flight operations until 12 August 2021 when their first flight touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria. With its three fleets, Green Africa Airways serve the Nigerian domestic market and currently plies the following routes:
- Abuja – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,
- Akure – Akure Airport
- Enugu – Akanu Ibiam International Airport
- Ilorin – Ilorin International Airport
- Lagos – Murtala Muhammed International Airport
- Owerri – Sam Mbakwe Airport
- Port Harcourt – Port Harcourt International Airport
See their website at www.greenafrica.com
Ibom Air
The Akwa Ibom State Government-owned airline commenced operations on June 7 2019 making it the first state in the country to own an airline. It started off with a Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft and took off from Victor Attah International Airport (IATA: QUO), Uyo, with government officials on board, en route to Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
With its seven fleets, Ibom Air flies the following routes in Nigeria:
- Abuja – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Calabar – Margaret Ekpo International Airport
- Enugu – Akanu Ibiam International Airport
- Lagos – Murtala Muhammed International Airport
- Uyo – Victor Attah International Airport
- Port Harcourt – Port Harcourt International Airport
Their website is www.ibomair.com
K-Impex Airline
K-Impex airlines are yet to commence scheduled passenger, cargo and charter operations across Nigeria. The airline will start operations locally but would eventually extend to regional routes within the first six months. They are targeting to start with four aeroplanes for scheduled operations, 12 seaters for charter and one freighter by the first quarter of 2022. Abel Ozigi is the managing director of K-Impex Airlines.
Kabo Air
The Kano based Airline, which was established in February 1980 by Dr. Alhaji Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo, ceased to operate in 2017 when its offices were sealed by the Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service due to unpaid tax liabilities having owed over 149 million Naira. What it does currently is chartered operations, especially for pilgrim flights under its own name and on behalf of other airlines.
Max Air
Max Air is Nigeria’s longest-serving international airline established in 2008 by business mogul Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal. Mangal Airlines, as it used to be known before being rebranded as Max Air in 2008, operates in seven domestic and two international scheduled destinations in Nigeria and the Middle East. See the routes below:
- Abuja, Nigeria – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Bauchi , Nigeria – Bauchi State Airport
- Benin City, Nigeria – Benin Airport
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – King Abdulaziz International Airport
- Kano, Nigeria – Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
- Katsina, Nigeria – Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport
- Lagos, Nigeria – Murtala Muhammed International Airport
- Madinah, Saudi Arabia – Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport
- Maiduguri, Nigeria – Maiduguri International
- Owerri, Nigeria – Sam Mbakwe Airport
- Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Port Harcourt International Airport
- Sokoto, Nigeria – Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport
- Yola, Nigeria – Yola Airport
To book a flight or see other stuff the airline has in store, visit their website maxair.com.ng
Overland Airways
The Lagos based airline, which commenced operations in 2002, has a hub at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. With its nine fleets, Overland Airways’ domestic scheduled destinations are as follows:
- Abuja, FCT – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
- Akure, Ondo – Akure Airport
- Asaba, Delta – Asaba International Airport
- Bauchi, Bauchi – Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport
- Dutse, Jigawa – Dutse International Airport
- Ibadan, Oyo – Ibadan Airport
- Ilorin, Kwara – Ilorin International Airport
- Jalingo, Taraba – Jalingo Airport
- Ikeja, Lagos – Murtala Mohammed International Airport
Overland Airways is owned and controlled by Overland Airways Limited. For flight bookings and prices, visit their website at www.overlandairways.com
TAT Nigeria
TAT Nigeria, till its demise, was a virtual charter airline that specialized in Christian pilgrim tours mainly to Israel. The airline used to be based at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos but never had its own fleet and chartered aircraft from other operators.
United Nigeria Airlines
The Enugu based airline is one of the new local airlines in Nigeria that was established in 2020 but didn’t start flying until 12 February 2021, when it made its inaugural flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. United Nigeria Airlines’ regular routes include the following destinations with its four fleets:
- Abuja – Abuja International Airport
- Asaba – Asaba International Airport
- Enugu – Enugu International Airport
- Owerri – Sam Mbakwe Airport
- Lagos – Lagos International Airport
- Port Harcourt – Port Harcourt International Airport
Russian-trained political scientist, businessman and entrepreneur, Obiorah Okonkwo, owns the airline through his subsidiary company Private Airlines Services Limited. See more about the airline on their website www.flyunitednigeria.com
West Link Airlines
West Link Airlines is a private charter carrier headquartered at Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The private jet charter services include cargo aircraft, passenger commercial aircraft, emergency evacuations, sports charters, air ambulance transfers and private business air travel. See more of them on their website: www.flywestlink.com
That’s all on the list of local airlines in Nigeria. Let’s now take a look at how many international airlines are allowed in Lagos, Abuja, in short in Nigeria generally.
List Of International Airlines In Nigeria
Egypt Air
- 22B, Idowu Taylor Street,
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 262 0087, 271 2308
- Fax: +234 1 280 11
- Web:
Ethiopian Airlines
- 3 Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 774 4711/2,
- Fax: +234 1 461 6297
- Web: http://www.ethiopianairlines.com
Ghana Airways
- 128, Awolowo Road,
- Ikoyi, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 269 2658, 269 2363
- Web:
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Plot 98, Adeola Odeku,
- South Atlantic Petroleum Towers,
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 462 6124,
- Fax: +234 1 261 7959
- Web: http://www.klm.com.ng
Kenya Airways
- 1st Floor, Churchgate Towers,
- PC 30, Afribank Street,
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 271 9433/434/435
- Fax: +234 1 271 5849
- Web: www.kenya-airways.com
Aero Contractors
- Room 2058, 2nd Floor,
- Murtala Mohammed Int. Airport,
- Ikeja, Lagos.
- Tel: +234 1 271 1512
- Web:
Aeroflot-Russian
- International Airlines
- 31, Tafawa Balewa Sq. Lagos
- Tel: +234 1-263 7223
Arik Air
- Arik Air Aviation Centre,
- MMIA Domestic Wing,
- P.O.Box 10468, Ikeja, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 279 9900, 496 6606,
- Fax: +234 1 279 9900
- Web: http://www.arikair.com
Air Afrique
- 84, opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 4962230, 4962657;
- Fax: +234 1 4970086
Air France
- South Atlantic Petroleum Towers
- Plot 98, Adeola Odeku Street,
- Victoria Island, P.O.Box 201, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 461 0 777
- Fax: +234 1 261 7959
- Web: http://www.airfrance.com.ng/
Alitalia
- 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street,
- Victoria Island, Lagos.
- Tel: +234 1 2611559, 2618106, 4962570,
- Web: www.Alitalia.c
Saudi Air
- 6C, Murtala Mohammed Way, Kano
- Tel: +234 64 627 1200,
- Web: www.saudiairlines.com
Virgin Atlantic
- The Ark Towers,
- Plot 17, Ligali Ayorinde Street
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 320 2750, 461 2750
- Web: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/
Air Afrique
- 84, opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 4962230, 4962657;
- Fax: +234 1 4970086
Turkish Airlines
- Plot 1, Wing B, South Petroleum Towers,
- 2nd Floor, Adeola Odeku St,
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 277 2230,
- Fax:+234 1 491 7019
- Web: turkishairlines.com
Air India
- 2nd Floor Water Parks Plaza,
- 31/37, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 497 0061, 497 4749
- Fax: +234 1 497 4750
- Web:
Atlantic Express Airlines
- (West Coast Shuttle)
- Address: Suite 1D, Princess Court,
- 37 Ahmed Onibudo Street,
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 461 3804, 262 3167
British Airways
- The Waterfront, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive
- Ikoyi, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 269 5870 – 8
- Web: www.britishairways.com
China Southern Airlines
- Plot 98, Adeola Odeku,
- South Atlantic Petroleum Towers,
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Web: www.flychinasouthern.com/
Delta Airlines
- Sky Logistics Ltd, 3B Sapara Williams Close,
- P.O.Box 71150, Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 279 9000
- Fax: +234 1 279 9021
- Web:
Emirates
- Plot PC 30, Churchgate Building, Afribank Street,
- Victoria Island, Lagos
- Tel: +234 1 271 7600
- Fax: +234 1 271 7699
- Web: http://www.emirates.com
Those are majorly the best international airlines in Nigeria. It’s time to take a look at the list of local flight operators in Nigeria.
List Of Local Airlines In Nigeria
Let’s start by understanding what a domestic airline/flight is? A domestic flight is also known as an ‘internal flight’, or ‘local flight’, and are flights that leave and land in the same country. Take, for instance, flying from Lagos (LOS) and landing at another destination in Nigeria, let’s say Kano (KAN). Local flights are often cheaper than international flights because of their shorter travel time and costs.
Below are the names of all local airlines which operate internal flights within Nigeria today:
- Arik Air
- Air Peace
- Aero Contractors
- Overland Airways
- Dana Air
- Max Air
- Azman Air
- Binani Air
- Kanem Air
The best local airline in Nigeria will mostly depend on an individual’s experience with each operator. Let’s move a bit away from the list of local airlines in Nigeria and see the complete list of defunct airlines in Nigeria.
Defunct Airlines In Nigeria
- ADC Airlines (1984–2006)
- Aero Contractors of Nigeria (1960– 2002) Renamed to Aero Contractors
- African Chartered Services (2005– 2005)
- African International Airway (1971– 1972)
- African Trans Air (1992– 1995)
- Afrijet Airlines (1998– 2009)
- Afrimex (1994– 2003)
- Air Atlantic Cargo (1994– 2000)
- Air Midwest (2002– 2010)
- Air Nigeria (2010– 2012)
- Air Vanni (1978– 1978)
- Airstream Aviation (2013– 2017)
- Al-Dawood Air (2001– 2005)
- Albarka Air (1999– 2005)
- Alheri Airlines (1987– 1987)
- Amako Air (2002– 2004)
- Amed Air (1994– 1996)
- Arab Wings Nigeria (1981– 1981)
- Arax Airlines (1977– 1988)
- Associated Aviation (1996– 2019)
- Axiom Air (2009– 2011)
- Bako Air (2004– 2006)
- Bakoji Airlines Services (1999– 2000)
- Barnax Air (1991– 1992)
- Bellview Airlines (1992– 2010)
- Capital Airlines (2003– 2010)
- Central Airlines (1980– 1982)
- Chanchangi Airlines (1994– 2012)
- Chrome Air Service (1999– 2006)
- City Link Airlines (1993– 1996 )
- Concord Airlines (1986– 1990s)
- Dala Air Services (2000– 2001)
- Das Air (2004– 2006)
- Dasab Airlines (2001– 2006)
- Delta Air Charter (1969– 1977)
- Discovery Air (2014– 2015)
- Dominion Air (2013– 2013)
- Earth Airlines (2002– 2007)
- EAS Airlines (1993– 2006) Rebranded as Nicon Airways
- EAS Cargo Airlines (1987– 1992) Renamed to EAS Airlines
- EAS Executive Aviation Services (2007– 2009)
- Easy Link Aviation (2001– 2007)
- Eco Air (2004– 2004)
- Elders Colonial Airways (1935–1940)
- Embassy Airlines
- Emma-Nik Aviation Service (1999– 2000) Revoked AOC
- Executive Airlines Services (1993– 2004) Revoked AOC
- Executive Jet Services (2005– 2020)
- Express Airways Nigeria (1985– 2007) Assets taken over by Sky Power Express.
- Falcon Airline
- Fassey Aviation (1994– 1998)
- Fayban Air Services (1990s– 1990s)
- Fezel Air (1993– 1995)
- First Nation Airways (2010– 2018)
- Flash Airlines (1985– 1996)
- Fleet Air Nigeria (2005– 2006) Merged with EAS Airlines to form Nicon Airways
- Fly For Value Aviation
- Foremost Aviation (1992– 1994)
- Freedom Air Services (1998– 2005)
- Fresh Air (1999– 2006 )
- Galaxy Airways (1988– 1988)
- GAS Air Nigeria (1973– 2000)
- GAS Air Cargo (1973– 2000)
- Hamsal Air (2008– 2009)
- Hamzair (1983– 1983)
- Harka Air Services (1994– 2001) Established as Harco Air Services.
- Harco Air Services (1992– 1994) Rebranded Harca Air Services
- Havilah Air Services (1990s– 1999) AOC revoked
- Hold-Trade Air (1991– 2000)
- IAT Cargo (1985– 1987)
- IAT Cargo (1994– 1999)
- Intercontinental Airlines (1978– 1990)
- Interstate Airlines (1990s– 1990s)
- IRS Airlines (2002– 2013)
- Jambo Airlines (1986– 1987)
- Kabo Air (1981–2016)
- Kabu Air Cargo (1992– 1992)
- Kati Air (1983– 1997)
- Kenuz Airlines (1990s– 1990s)
- Knights Airlines (2005– 2007)
- Koda Air (2001–2005)
- Kolkol Airlines (1994– 2000)
- Maina Air (1994– 1999)
- Mangal Airlines (2006– 2008) Rebranded Max Air
- Med-View Airline (2007– 2019)
- Merchant Express Aviation (Prior to 2000)
- Meridian Airlines (2004– 2014)
- Millennium Air (2003– 2006) Renamed to Emirate Touch Aviation.
- Nexus Aviation (2003– 2003) AOC suspended
- Nicon Airways (2006– 2007)
- Nigeria Air Services (1946– 1947)
- Nigeria Airways (1958– 2003)
- Nigeria One (2013– 2013) Rebranded as Nigerian Eagle
- Nigerian Eagle Airlines (2009– 2010) Rebranded as Air Nigeria
- Nigerian Global Aviation (2003– 2003)
- Nigerian Trade Wings (1978– 1979)
- North-East Airlines (1994– 1998)
- Okada Air (1982– 2002)
- Onedot Aviation (2003– 2008 )
- Oriental Airlines (1990– 2003)
- Overnight Cargo Nigeria (1992– 1994)
- Pan African Airlines (1961– 2000)
- PMAS Regional Airlines (1987– 1995) Renamed to DANA Dornier Aviation Nigeria.
- Premium Air Shuttle (1995– 2006)
- Prime Air Services (2000– 2016)
- RN Cargo (1980s– 1983)
- Routair Aviation (1994– 1999)
- Savanah Airlines (2001– 2003)
- Sky Air Cargo (1985– 1990)
- Sky Executive Airlines (2001– 2003)
- Skyline (2001– 2003)
- Skypower Express Airways (1985– 2007)
- Slok Air International (1996– 2004) Reformed as Slok Air Gambia Limited
- SMA Airlines (1999– 2000)
- Sosoliso Airlines (1994– 2006)
- Space World International Airlines (2002– 2007)
- Thames Air Services & Charter (1993– 1994)
- TAT Nigeria (2008– 2009)
- Trans Sahara Air (2001– 2004)
- Trans-Air Services (1992– 1997)
- Triax Airlines (1992– 2000)
- United Air Express (1994– 1990s)
- United Air Service (1983– 1987) Rebranded as EAS Cargo Airlines.
- Virgin Nigeria (2004– 2009) Rebranded as Nigerian Eagle Airlines
- West African Airways Corporation (1947– 1952)
- West African Airways Corporation Nigeria (1958– 1961) Renamed to Nigeria Airways
- Wings Aviation (2001– 2012) Merged into JedAir
- Yvic Air (1992– 1997)
- Zenith Air (1992– 1993)
Those are all the old airlines that have been grounded and shut down in Nigeria.
Concluding List Of Airlines In Nigeria
I’m sure you’re no longer searching for information having seen the list Of Local Airlines In Nigeria and their services! Our guide offered up-to-date info about the owners, websites, and routes for all top carriers.
Article updated 2 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
