Are you searching for information about the airlines in Nigeria? Nigeria’s aviation sector is expanding as the population grows and demand for air travel strengthens. In 2026, Nigeria remains one of Africa’s key airline markets, ranking among the top five on the continent by scheduled passenger seat capacity.
This article takes an in-depth look at Airlines in Nigeria in 2026, including local carriers, their services, domestic networks, and the role of foreign airlines in the country’s skies. The focus is to inform readers about the current state of air travel in Nigeria.
Overview: Nigeria’s Aviation Market in 2026
Nigeria’s aviation industry is diverse, featuring a mix of homegrown carriers and international airlines. The market has seen fluctuations in seat capacity year-on-year. Nevertheless, Nigeria still ranks as the fifth-largest airline market in Africa as of late 2025, based on scheduled passenger seat capacity.
Domestic travel remains a core component of the industry, while international connectivity continues to grow as global airlines resume and expand services into Nigerian airports.
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Domestic Airlines in Nigeria 2026
Domestic carriers form the core of Airlines in Nigeria. These airlines connect major cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and others. Here’s a look at some of the prominent ones.
Air Peace: Nigeria’s Largest Carrier
Air Peace is widely recognized as the largest Nigerian airline in terms of fleet size, network, and passenger volumes.
- Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Lagos State, Nigeria
- Hubs: Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja)
Air Peace operates both domestic and international routes. It connects Nigeria’s major cities and also flies to West African and international destinations. In 2025 and into 2026, the airline expanded its international services, including direct flights between Abuja and London Heathrow and Gatwick, which began in late 2025.
The airline has also been investing in a modern fleet, including Embraer 190 aircraft to support domestic and regional operations.
Importantly, Air Peace continues to shape the sector of Airlines in Nigeria with its extensive network and fleet modernization efforts.
Arik Air: A Resilient Domestic and Regional Player
Arik Air is one of the longest-serving Nigerian carriers.
- Founded: 2002
- Headquarters: Ikeja, Lagos State
- Hubs: Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja)
Arik Air operates scheduled domestic and regional flights across Nigeria and West Africa. Its services often include major Nigerian cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Jos, and Port Harcourt, as well as regional connections.
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Although Arik Air’s fleet size and operations have changed over time, it remains an important component of the Airlines in Nigeria sector, linking internal and external destinations.
Ibom Air: State-Owned Regional Connectivity
Ibom Air is a government-owned airline based in Akwa Ibom State. It began commercial flights in 2019 and has steadily grown its route network.
- Focuses on domestic routes connecting Lagos, Abuja, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Enugu.
- Operates aircraft such as Airbus A220-300s and Bombardier CRJ900s.
Ibom Air has pursued domestic and regional expansion, including services beyond Nigeria’s borders. Its role in the ecosystem of Airlines in Nigeria is significant for adding operational diversity and serving regions outside the major city markets.
ValueJet: A New-Age Nigerian Airline
ValueJet is one of the newer entrants among Nigeria’s domestic carriers.
- Founded: 2018
- Operations Started: October 2022
- Hub: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos
- Offers scheduled passenger flights to cities including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Jos, and other destinations domestically.
ValueJet represents emerging dynamics in Nigeria’s domestic aviation, offering competition and additional choices for travelers.
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Other Domestic Carriers Contributing to Nigeria’s Air Network
While the airlines above are among the most prominent, Airlines in Nigeria also include several other operators that contribute to domestic connectivity:
- United Nigeria Airlines – A relatively recent carrier established in 2021. It focuses on domestic routes like Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Asaba, and by late 2025 had even launched flights to Accra, Ghana.
- Kanem Air, Green Africa Airways, and Rano Air – These carriers offer domestic services across secondary and key city routes.
Other carriers often operate charter services or serve niche markets within Nigeria. Not all domestic airlines carry large passenger volumes, but each contributes to the broader Airlines in Nigeria network.
Historical Airlines That Shaped Nigerian Aviation
The story of Airlines in Nigeria includes carriers that no longer operate but influenced the evolution of the sector:
- Dornier Aviation Nigeria – Though not a scheduled airline today, it historically provided charter and aerial services since 1979.
- EAS Airlines, Freedom Air Services, and Sosoliso Airlines were once active but have ceased operations.
Understanding these past players helps frame how current airlines have grown and adapted over time.
International Airlines Serving the Nigerian Market
Nigeria’s aviation market is not limited to local carriers. Foreign airlines operate flights connecting Nigeria with major cities across the world. These airlines form a critical part of Airlines in Nigeria by linking the country globally:
- Emirates resumed flights to Nigeria in October 2025 after nearly two years of suspension. The airline flies between Lagos and Dubai, connecting passengers to a global network of over 140 destinations.
- Major European carriers such as British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France serve key Nigerian cities like Lagos and Abuja.
- Middle East carriers like Qatar Airways continue flights linking Nigeria with Doha and onward destinations.
- African and global carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, and others also operate routes to and from Nigeria.
International airlines help sustain Nigeria’s connectivity with Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, making them vital to the country’s aviation ecosystem.
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Airports and Flight Routes in Nigeria
Nigeria’s airline operations are anchored by key airports:
- Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos) – The main gateway for both domestic and international flights.
- Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja) – A major hub for domestic and regional traffic.
- Other Airports – Cities like Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, and Uyo are served by multiple local and foreign carriers.
These airports support the operations of both local and international airlines, facilitating passenger and cargo movements.
Trends Shaping Airlines in Nigeria 2026
Several trends are evident in the Airlines in Nigeria landscape:
1. Market Position and Passenger Movement
Domestic carriers like Air Peace and Arik Air lead in passenger traffic. Air Peace has been reported as the largest domestic airline, carrying millions of passengers annually.
Meanwhile, international airlines contribute significantly to inbound and outbound passenger movement, with carriers like Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines playing major roles on international routes.
2. Expansion & Fleet Modernization
Air Peace continues to modernize and expand its fleet with newer aircraft such as Embraer 190s and increased capacity jets.
Local airlines are responding to demand by enhancing comfort, increasing flight frequencies, and adding new routes both domestically and regionally.
Also read: Best Airlines that Fly from Lagos to Abuja | Full Guide
3. Foreign Carrier Presence
Despite strong local airline activity, foreign airlines earn significant revenue from the Nigerian market. Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, and others operate frequent flights and high seat capacity schedules.
This dynamic underscores both opportunity and competition for local carriers.
Conclusion: Outlook for Airlines in Nigeria 2026
In 2026, Airlines in Nigeria reflect an industry shaped by domestic demand, regional connectivity, and global linkages. Local carriers like Air Peace, Arik Air, Ibom Air, and ValueJet continue to expand their networks and services. At the same time, international carriers play a strong role in connecting Nigeria to the world.
As the sector grows, airline passengers benefit from increased options, improved connectivity, and ongoing investments in aircraft and routes. For anyone tracking the growth of aviation in Africa, Nigeria remains an important market to watch.
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