In this article, we will shift our focus to the top travel airlines in Nigeria. When travelling by air, the airline you choose can make the experience either remarkable or regrettable. While some airlines prioritize quality service delivery, others are solely focused on maximizing profits.
Out of the over 25 airlines certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, a few of them stand out as the go-to options for quality air transport services in the country. It is important to note that the following list of airlines is not in any particular order of preference; all of them are among the best, and the choice of the best airline for your needs is ultimately up to you.
1. Air Peace
Air Peace is a privately-owned Nigerian airline established in 2013 by a Nigerian lawyer and businessman Allen Onyema. With its operation base in Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State, Air Peace provides both charter and passenger services to travellers locally and internationally. The airline maintains several fleets of aircraft to ensure complete and comfortable services are rendered to its customers.
Air Peace flies to several Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Yola. The airline also travels to Accra in Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
Passengers of Air Peace are allowed to check-in luggage of up to 25kg in economy class and 40kg in business class. The airline offers three classes for passengers to board, namely the Business Class, Premium Class, and Premium Economy class, all with unique benefits. The airline is equipped with diligent staff, including professional pilots and cabin crew, to make your flight worthwhile.
The airline claims to have transported over 6 million people in 2019, making it the biggest domestic airline in Nigeria considering passenger volume. The emergence of Air Peace Airlines in the aviation market has provided employment opportunities for many Nigerians, and the airline maintains a strict zero tolerance for lateness to flights.
2. Azman Air
Azman Air Services Limited is a Nigerian-based airline that provides local passenger services from its headquarters in the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano. As one of the fastest-growing local airlines in Nigeria, Azman Air is renowned for offering world-class aviation services and is ranked as one of the best airlines in Nigeria. The airline’s unique identity includes excellent passenger relations, compelling online services, and operational efficiency that prioritizes promptness and safety.
The airline flies to eight destinations, including Kano, Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Yola, Maiduguri, Kebbi, and Portharcourt. Azman Air has consistently adhered to globally accredited safety standards and continuously reviews its products and services to provide better services to its passengers.
3. AeroContractors Company of Nigeria
Aero Contractors, also known as AeroContractors Company of Nigeria, is one of the oldest and most reliable airlines in Nigeria, having been established in 1960 and registered as such. Based at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State, it is owned 40% by the Ibru family and 60% by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The airline operates two divisions, Aero Nigeria and Rotary Wing, the latter providing helicopter services to the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and covers 13 destinations all over Nigeria, including Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Kano, Enugu, Lagos, Bauchi, Port Harcourt, and Sokoto.
Aero Contractors prides itself on maintaining its position as one of the best airlines in Nigeria. Its commitment to passenger comfort is evidenced by its provision of ample leg space, helpful seat pitch, WIFI, movies, communication languages, individual screens, earphones, in-flight magazines, and onboard shopping, making the airline a popular choice for travellers seeking a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.
4. Dana Air
Dana Air, a domestic airline based in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, has been providing world-class aviation services to Nigerians. The company is committed to improving the well-being of its customers through quality services, promptness, affordability, safety, staff and customers’ welfare, and more. Although the airline had a crash in 2012, it has since made significant progress and is currently one of the most reliable airlines in Nigeria, with a fleet of aircraft.
Dana Air operates mainly as a domestic carrier, serving Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Uyo. The airline is also responsible for the operation of a virtual carrier called Imo Air, which operates scheduled passenger flights in Imo State. Dana Air passengers can expect a basic but enjoyable in-flight experience with music, videos, and light meals available, and unique feeding requirements can be made known before the flight takes off.
5. Arik Air
Arik Air, one of the top airlines in Nigeria, operates primarily from two main airports – Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The airline’s head office is located at the Arik Air Aviation Center in Ikeja, Lagos State. Founded in 2002, Arik Air began operations in 2006 with passenger flights to Lagos and Abuja after logistics were put in place. The airline operates domestic, regional, and international flights, having been authorized by the Federal Government to fly to destinations such as Amsterdam, Trinidad, Tobago, London, and Madrid.
Arik Air has built a robust domestic and regional network, with over 27 destinations currently serviced by their fleet of aircraft. Additionally, Arik Air operates domestic routes, servicing Lagos, Abuja, Benin City, Ilorin, Jos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, and Yola.
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6. Max Air
Max Air is a Nigerian charter operator based at Katsina Airport that operates a fleet of Boeing narrowbody and widebody aircraft on various charter missions worldwide. Established in 2008 as Mangal Airline, Max Air has specialist experience in providing services for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Max Air is a member of the AFDIN Group of Companies, with Dahiru Barau Mangal as its Chairman and CEO.
The airline has its base at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, northern Nigeria, and operates in seven different routes in Nigeria, including Abuja, Bauchi, Benin City, Birnin Kebbi, Jos, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Yola, and Sokoto. Max Air is one of the longest-serving international airlines in Nigeria and is considered one of the best airlines in the country.
The airline had been most popular for its arrangement of Hajj, Umrah, and charter flight services. Upon dispatch, Max Air’s administration promised their responsibility to service greatness and unwavering quality. To date, Max Air has exceeded expectations as one of Nigeria’s most reliable airlines.
Max Air offers normal flights to Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Kano, Yola, and Sokoto, which were deliberately picked to support the requirements of local Nigerian business explorers. Max Air travellers are eligible for one piece of checked-in stuff weighing close to 20kg for domestic flights and one piece of in-cabin baggage with a maximum load of 8kg.
7. Ibom Air
Ibom airline, established in 2019, is the first state-owned airline in Nigeria and has been ranked as one of the best airlines in the country. Its inaugural flight was from Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. In a bid to provide maximum comfort to travellers, the airline has partnered with Dana air. With five destinations across Nigeria – Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Uyo and Lagos – Ibom airline boasts seven aircraft to maintain its position as one of the best airlines in the country.
9. Overland Air
Overland Airways is one of the leading local airlines in Nigeria with exclusive services. Its main base is located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State, and it also has a hub at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The airline operates flights to 10 different destinations across Nigeria and started flight activities in 2002.
Overland Airways is committed to providing strong services to its customers. It operates within six different destinations, including Abuja, Akure, Ibadan, Ilorin, Taraba, and Lagos, and has a total of nine aircraft. Key flight destinations include Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Bauchi, Dutse, Ibadan, Ilorin, Jalingo, Ikeja, and Minna.
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Quick Recap
This article highlights the top travel airlines in Nigeria. The airline you choose can make your air travel experience remarkable or regrettable. While some airlines prioritize quality service delivery, others are solely focused on maximizing profits.
Out of the over 25 airlines certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, a few of them stand out as the go-to options for quality air transport services in the country. The following list of airlines is not in any particular order of preference.
- Air Peace
- Azman Air
- Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria
- Dana Air
- Arik Air
- Med-View Airline
- Overland Airways
- Ibom Air
