Best airlines in Nigeria; domestic and international

Air travel, although the most expensive, is fast becoming the safest means of transportation in Nigeria today. This is due to the incessant bandit attacks on the country’s major highways. 

It is not uncommon to hear of abductions and killings on the highways across Nigeria. In most cases, the kidnappers demand exorbitant ransoms for their victims, and failure to pay attracts brutal killing. 

Although the Nigerian government has claimed to be on top of the situation, Nigerians still fear using the roads because the cases of kidnapping have risen in recent times. 

The nearest alternative, rail, has been attacked severally, the most recent being the abduction of passengers along the Kaduna-Abuja route in March. While some have been released, others are held, and a recent video of them being tortured has sent shock waves across the country. 

Table of Content hide 1Domestic airlines in Nigeria 1.1Air Peace 1.2Med-View 1.3Overland Airway 1.4Arik Air 1.5Aero Contractors 2International airlines in Nigeria 3Top ten best-selling airlines in Nigeria and their Unique Selling Points 3.1Med-View 3.2Air Peace 3.3Aero Contractors 3.4Max Air 3.5Overland Airways 3.6Kenya Airways 3.7Emirates 3.8Delta Airlines 3.9Turkish Airlines 3.10Lufthansa Airlines

Domestic airlines in Nigeria 

Domestic airlines in Nigeria are local airlines that carry passengers to the nation’s major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Kano, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Uyo, among others.

Below is a list of some of the domestic airlines in Nigeria in no particular order.

Air Peace

Many of the air companies on this list were born at Murtala Mohammed Airport, and Air Peace is one of them. 

It was established in 2013 and has since developed into one of the top airlines operating in Nigeria. 

Air Peace is a private airline that operates domestic flights from Lagos to Kaduna, Abuja, Owerri, Enugu, Sokoto, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Benin City, and Uyo. There are 10 locations in Nigeria in all. You can check them on their website  for further details.

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Med-View 

In 2007, Medview Airlines started operating in Nigeria by flying pilgrims from Ilorin, Lagos, Sokoto, Maiduguri, and Yola to Saudi Arabia and back. 

They provide flights to Port Harcourt, Abuja, Maiduguri, Accra Kotoka, London Gatwick, Yola, and Accra Kotoka. Murtala Muhammed International Airport is home to its corporate headquarters, which focuses primarily on domestic travel. You can check them on their website for further details.

Overland Airway

On September 17, 1998, the overland airway was officially established. It is an airline authorised to run both charter and regular flights. 

To facilitate the transportation of business (men), investors, and government officials from one location to another, the airline started operations in 2002. To this day, it is Nigeria’s pride in the airline industry. 

Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin, Akure, Dutse, Minna, Bauchi, Asaba, and Jalingo are accessible via its roadways. Additionally, Overland Airways offers charter flights to several locations in Nigeria, West, and Central Africa.

Arik Air

Despite being created in 2002, Arik Air only began operating in 2006. Both local flights inside Nigeria and overseas flights to other West African locations are provided. 

It is rumoured to be privately held and entirely owned by Nigerians. The “WINGS OF NIGERIA” airline’s headquarters are in Ikeja, Lagos state, at the Arik Air Aviation Centre, which is part of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport.

Aero Contractors

One of the well-known regional airlines in Nigeria is Aero Contractors Establishment of Nigeria Limited, which operates under the slogan “THE RELIABLE WAY TO FLY.” 

Schreiner Airways B. V., which he formed and alone controlled Aero (1959). Aero was formally registered in 1960; Nigeria had a 40% ownership stake in the company in 1973 and then 60% ownership in 1976. (1976). 

(2004) Schreiner sold his 40% stake to CHC Helicopters, and CHC afterward sold its newly acquired 40% shares (2010). The Ibru family came to own Aero in its entirety. Aero aviation has a seven-ship fleet and more than ten locations.

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Others include:

• Dana Air
• Ibom Air
• Max Air
• Azman Air
• Air Nigeria
• Kabo Air

International airlines in Nigeria 

You might not be able to use domestic airlines if you need to fly from Nigeria to locations in Europe, America, Asia, or even some regions of Africa. 

However, you can go to these locations via several foreign airlines in Nigeria. Some of them include:

• Arik Air
• Air Nigeria 
• Allied Air
• Air France
• Emirates
• Air India
• British Airways
• Delta Airlines 
• Egypt Air
• Ethiopia Airlines
• Ghana Airways
• Kenya Airways
• Lufthansa German Airlines 
• Turkish Airlines 
• Virgin Atlantic 

Top ten best-selling airlines in Nigeria and their Unique Selling Points

Nigerians travel extensively throughout the nation because of the numerous public and commercial aircraft that are available. 

These airlines in Nigeria are the best in the nation since they also offer outstanding customer care and a variety of onboard business centres. Because of this, most of these airlines try to offer a better flying experience than their competitors.

Below are the top ten best airlines in Nigeria in no particular order.

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Med-View

The airline of Nigeria, MedView Airlines, was founded in 2007—one year after Arik Air—and is also known as the airline of Nigeria. 

Beginning as a charter company that flew Nigerian nationals to Mecca for the Hajj, MedView Airline has expanded its offerings to encompass local and international travel and rescue missions for Muslim pilgrims in other countries. The airline started carrying passengers to and from Nigeria in 2012. 

Med-view Airlines Plc was admitted to trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2017. Med-view Airline collaborates with Saudi Air Cargo and Euro-Atlantic Airways of Lisbon, Portugal. Additionally, the corporation does business with Pluna Air of Uruguay and Air Atlanta of Iceland.

One of Nigeria’s domestic airlines, Med-View Airline, operates eight regular routes between Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, and Yola. Additionally, it now offers flights to London Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom and Accra, Ghana. 

Because of its simplicity and low prices, Medview Airlines is one of the best local airlines in Nigeria. The airline’s Blue Flyer programme offers points to frequent flyers.

Some advantages include access to the VIP lounge, no check-in or boarding requirements, and enhanced baggage limits on international flights from 60 kg to 76 kg. 

Their planes are always spotless and in good condition. The flight attendants’ hard work goes into ensuring that every passenger has a secure and enjoyable journey. 

Air Peace

Considered to be among the greatest domestic airlines in the nation is Air Peace. The privately owned Nigerian airline was established in 2013 by businessman and attorney Allen Onyema and now serves 13 locations.

Destinations for Air Peace include Accra, Ghana; Gambia; Liberia; Senegal; Sierra Leone, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, among others, both domestically and outside. 

Before returning to Abuja, it stops at Nigerian cities such as Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Owerri, Port HarcourtPort, Uyo, and Yola.

The Air Peace loyalty club members receive points they can use to get gifts or book flights.

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Aero Contractors 

Aero Contractors, an airline operating domestic and international scheduled services, air charter, and third-party aircraft operations, was founded in 1959 and currently employs over 1,300 people. The airline’s operations largely support Nigeria’s sizable oil and gas sector. 

The airline has two wings: a Fixed Wing for regularly scheduled passenger trips in Nigeria and West Africa and a Rotary Wing for helicopter services for the country of Nigeria’s oil and gas business. 

Additionally, they offer Wi-Fi, movies, individual screens, and headphones for the comfort of the passengers. There are various publications for in-flight reading.

Max Air

With its main office in the Kano Airport, Max Air is a Nigerian charter airline. The airline was founded in 2003, and as of right now, it operates an 8-aircraft fleet. 

A domestic and international airline is Max Air. One of the most reliable airlines in Nigeria is Max Air. The Kano-based airline is quickly making a name for itself as one of Nigeria’s safest, most reliable, and most reasonably priced air carriers. 

The airline was founded to pursue and provide top-notch services based on effectiveness and honesty that would make us stand out in the aviation sector.

When it comes to dependable and safety-conscious air travel, Max Air is well-known. The management of Max Air vowed to provide consistently excellent service upon dispatch.

Overland Airways

The official founding date of Overland Airway is September 17, 1998. It is a registered FAA charter and scheduled flight operator. 

This indigenous airline began operations in Nigeria in 2002 and employed roughly 190 people.

Kenya Airways

Known as the national carrier of Kenya, Kenya is a prominent 3-star airline that was established in 1977. It has a 38-strong fleet and 53 distinct locations. 

Until 1995, Kenya Airways was a government-owned corporation; in 1996, it was privatised. The airway is public-private cooperation at the moment.

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Emirates

The major airline in the United Arab Emirates is Emirates. It was established in 1985 and is owned by the Dubai government’s Investment Corporation of Dubai. 

It has a fleet of about 300 airplanes and operates in about 80 countries. The Emirate office may be reached at +23414609949, and it is situated in Abuja, Nigeria.

Delta Airlines

They offer nonstop flights between Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos and John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Turkish Airlines

They take flights to Lagos and Abuja, two separate cities in Nigeria. 

They have their office on Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria, in the South Atlantic Petroleum Towers.

Lufthansa Airlines 

Their office is located in Lagos, Nigeria, one of the best international airlines in Nigeria.

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