Air travel remains the fastest means of travelling worldwide. In Nigeria, it’s perhaps the safest means of travel. Save for its relatively expensive cost, I’m sure a good majority of Nigerians would prefer travelling by air than by road.
Well, if you’re going to board a plane, I’m sure you’d want the best experience. There are different local and international airlines in Nigeria. If you’re travelling within the country, you’ll typically use local airlines. Which one should you use? Well, here are the best local airlines in Nigeria you can consider:
- Air Peace
Air Peace is the largest airline in Nigeria and West Africa. The airline was founded in 2013 and currently has its headquarters in Lagos. Air Peace offers flight services in all 36 states of Nigeria. You can also fly to other West African countries and the Middle East.
Flying with Air Peace is easy. You can use the website or, better yet, the mobile app to book flights. While booking flights, you get to choose not only your seat number but also some extra services – if you like.
- Dana Air
Dana Air remains infamous in the mind of some Nigerians following the 2012 disaster. However, the airline has since then rejuvenated to be one of the best local airlines in Nigeria. Like many other local airlines, Dana Air operates from a headquarters in Lagos.
With Dana Air, you can travel to Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and more cities in Nigeria. Dana Air also features a mobile app for more convenient flight booking.
- Ibom Air
Ibom Air is perhaps the current most popular state-owned airline in Nigeria. The airline was launched by the Akwa Ibom state government in 2019 and it has since grown to be one of the most popular local airlines.
As a state-owned airline, Ibom Air operates from Akwa Ibom’s capital, Uyo. The airline currently flies to 6 other cities including Abuja, Calabar, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, and Enugu. Ibom Air is currently in an alliance with Dana Air (mentioned earlier) in a bid to provide customers with better services.
- Arik Air
Arik Air is another local airline that has lasted the test of time, operating for close to 20 years having been founded in 2004. The Murtala Mohammed airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja are the two main bases where the airline operates from.
With Arik Air, you can fly within Nigeria and also to other countries in West Africa – notably, Ghana, Senegal, and Liberia. You either book flights and pay online or you choose to pay later with a book-on-hold.
- Aero Contractors
Aero Contractors is known for the convenience they offer during flights, most notably the additional services. These additional services include group booking, charter services, corporate services, and helicopter services.
Aero Contractors fly mainly to Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Among these cities, Lagos is the primary location as you’ll find the airline’s main base in the Murtala Mohammed airport.
Notably, with Aero Contractors, booking flights for others is hassle-free. All you need is their ID and, after booking the flight, you send them the reference.
- Azman Air
This airline is dedicated to providing a comfortable travelling experience to all Nigerians. They do this by offering affordable flights, mainly in Northern Nigeria. If you reside in the south, you may not have come across Azman Air. The reverse is the case if you reside in states like Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yola, Maiduguri, Kano, and Kaduna.
Azman Air operates from Kano. Flights are a lot cheaper if you’re travelling to and fro Kano. Nevertheless, the airline still features flights to southern Nigerian cities including Port Harcourt, Lagos, Owerri, Asaba, and Benin.
- Max Air
Max Air offers local, regional, and international flights. They’re an airline that’s “here to take care of you” so, except for nothing but premium hospitality when you fly with Max Air. You enjoy this “hospitality” whether you’re in Economy or Business class.
Max Air is another local airline with its base in the north – Kano state precisely. Most of the airline’s flights are between Kano and Abuja. Other destinations include Port Harcourt, Lagos, Katsina, Owerri, and Sokoto to name a few.
- Overland Air
Overland Air was founded in 2002 which makes it one of the oldest airlines in Nigeria. The airline operates from the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Ikeja but also has an operational base in the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja.
Overland Air is a “true” local airline as they only fly to detonations within Nigeria. These destinations include Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, Asaba, Jalingo, Akure, Bauchi, Dutse, and Ibadan.
- Allied Air
Number 9 here is Allied Air. Even if you’re an everyday air traveller in Nigeria, you’ve not boarded an Allied Aeroplane before. This is because it’s a cargo airline, it doesn’t carry passengers but goods. Like other passenger airlines, Allied Air operates from Lagos.
The airline’s services aren’t limited to Nigeria alone as they deliver cargo across Africa. Major destinations include Accra, Malabo, Freetown, Entebbe, and Monrovia.
- United Nigeria Airlines
The United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), also known as Private Airlines Services Limited, is a new airline, licensed just in 2021. It’s a private airline with a main operating base in Enugu state. The airline currently operates flights in four major Nigerian cities including Enugu, Abuja, Asaba, and Lagos.
As a new airline, UNA can’t carry out many flights yet. In fact, the AOC – Air Operators Certificate – will expire by 2023 after which the NCAA will decide if the airline will continue operations.