Enjoying comfort and safety is what everyone craves in Nigeria. After that, you can consider affordability. But unfortunately, when it comes to airlines, people get confused about the best affordable airlines, which can affect their decision regarding their next trip.
Most of these airlines are privately or publicly owned and operate various routes in various states and beyond the borders of Nigeria. Besides, the aircraft are of durable quality, offering a more comfortable atmosphere for their customers. So, you can trust them with your money and rest assured that your journey will be safe and sound.
Reading this article will show you what you need to know about the top airlines in Nigeria regarding the price and quality of their flight services.
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10 Best Affordable Airlines in Nigeria
Here is a list of the best affordable airlines in Nigeria and why you should consider them:
Air Peace
This airline was established in 2013 and had been climbing the ladder of success as it keeps warming its way into the heart of Nigerians. It is privately owned by a businessperson and lawyer, Allen Onyema.
The operational base of Air Peace is Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. It offers charter and passenger services to individuals and companies. Some of the aircraft operated by the company include Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-500, Boeing 777-300, Boeing 737 MAX8, Boeing 777-200ER, Embraer E195-E2, and Embraer ERJ-145.
The local routes for Air Peace include Lagos, Abuja, Asaba, Akure, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Calabar, Ilorin, Kano, Kaduna, etc. In the same way, the international routes include United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, Accra, and the Gambia.
In addition, you can board the airline with at most 25kg of luggage for economy class and 40kg for business class. This has also made it rank among the best affordable airlines in Nigeria.
Besides delivering peaceful flight experiences for its customers, the Air Peace founder has a vision of generating many job opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Air Peace office hours are 8 am – 5 pm (Mon-Fri), while customer care hours are from 6 am – 9 pm (Mon-Sun).
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Arik Air
Arik Air was formerly Nigerian Airways which was established in 1958. Its operational bases are Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (head office), and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Its routes are local, across West African countries (Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Gabon, and Cameroon), the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, every other route has been terminated except local routes. Hence, as of 2022, Arik Air only plies Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin, Port Harcourt, Jos, Benin, Yola, and Maiduguri.
Moreover, the airline has different aircraft for conveying its passengers to their locations, including Boeing 737-700, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX8, Bombardier CRJ1000, Bombardier CRJ900 and De Havilland Dash 8-400.
With its quality services, Arik Air is one of the best affordable airlines in Nigeria. You can trust them.
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Dana Air
Another best affordable airline in Nigeria is Dana Air. Like Air Peace, its operational base is Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. It was established in 2008 and started operations the same year. Besides, it is privately owned and a Dana Group of Companies subsidiary.
Whether traveling for business or personal issues, you can select from Dana’s business or economy class options. People can attest that Dana Air is one of the best. Even after its crash in 2012, it was able to pick up and continue operations, which many airlines might not survive. However, between 2012 and 2013, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) seized its license, but it bounced back in 2014 and has been strong and active since then.
Also, Dana Air has eight aircraft: two Boeing 737-300, five McDonnell Douglass MD-83s, and one McDonnell Douglas MD-82. These only operate locally in strategic locations like Owerri, Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.
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Aero Contractors
Established in 1960, Aero Contractors is one of Nigeria’s oldest and best affordable airlines. The famous Ibru family of Delta state owns more than 40% of its shares. The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) owns 60% of the shares.
Besides, the company has two divisions that offer services to its customers. The first is Aero Nigeria, which delivers services to local passengers. The other division is the Rotary Wing, which provides services for the oil and gas sector of the country. It is one of the best affordable airlines Nigeria can boast about.
The local routes of Aero Contractors are Abuja, Lagos, Benin, Asaba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Sokoto. Further, it has seven aircraft that enable it to offer efficient services to customers: two Boeing 737-500, one Boeing 737-400, one De Havilland Dash 8-Q300, one De Havilland Dash 8-Q200, and two De Havilland Dash 8-Q400.
Azman Air
This is one of the best affordable airlines in Nigeria and is Nigerian-based. Its location is Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano state. Abdulmanuf Yunusa Sarina, Nigerian businessperson, owns it. Although Azman Air was established in 2010, it began operations in 2014 and flies between Kano Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The airline also boasts six aircraft operating in various states: three Boeing 737-500, two Boeing 737-300, and one Airbus A340-600. Their destinations are Abuja, Lagos, Asaba, Kaduna, Kano, Benin, Maiduguri, Birnin Kebbi, Gombe, and the Bahamas.
First Nation Air
It is a privately-owned airline that offers only passenger services. It began operation in 2013 with its headquarters at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and its first destination was Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Then, it expanded to Port Harcourt, Asaba, Owerri, Benin, Enugu, Kano, Uyo, and Kaduna for local operations.
For African and international operations, its routes include Cairo, Accra, Nairobi, Dubai, Belarus, United Kingdom, Moscow, Lebanon, Riyadh, and Saint Petersburg. Besides, First Nation Air has two Airbus A319-100 aircraft.
Overland Air
This is another leading airline in Nigeria and was founded in 2002. Also, its headquarters is in Murtala Muhammed International, Lagos, and a branch in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The company boasts 194 skilled and eligible employees, including pilots and cabin crew.
Again, Overland Air operates in six local destinations: Abuja, Lagos, Akure, Ilorin, Ibadan, and Taraba. To maintain solid operations, it boasts nine aircraft, including two Beechcraft 1900D, three ATR 72, and four ATR 42.
Max Air
Another of the best affordable airlines in Nigeria on our list is Max Air. It is owned by Alhaji Dahiru Barau and was established in 2008, making it a long-serving airport in the country. Its base is at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano state.
In addition, Max Air operates locally and internationally, and the destinations include Abuja, Lagos, Benin, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Bauchi, Birnin Kebbi, and Yola. It has seven airplanes to its credit for smooth operations: one Learjet 45, two Boeing 747-400, and four Boeing 737-300.
Ibom Air
This is one of the newly established and best affordable airlines in Nigeria. It is Akwa Ibom state-owned and began operations in 2019. Its debut takeoff was from Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, and it landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Further, Ibom air collaborates with Dana Air to deliver efficient services to its cherished customers. It has five local destinations: Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Calabar, and Uyo. Also, it has seven aircraft that have been helpful in its competent services.
Allied Air
This airline is one of the best and most affordable in Nigeria. It is privately owned and established by Valentine Tongo in 1998. It operates along local and international routes between three to six times weekly.
Allied Air’s international routes include Libreville, Douala, Belgium, and Nairobi. The local routes include Abuja and Port Harcourt. In addition, it has seven aircraft: three Boeing 737-400F and four Boeing 727 Freighter aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out other related searches for the best Affordable Airlines in Nigeria:
Where is the world’s largest airport?
Regarding size, the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the world’s largest airport. Besides, it takes up close to 300 square miles.
What days are the cheapest to fly?
According to the travel deal site FareCompare, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly. In contrast, Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive.
Which is the cheapest month to fly from Lagos to Abuja?
The cheapest month to fly from Lagos to Abuja is October, while the cheapest day to fly from Lagos to Abuja is Monday.
Which airline is the newest in Nigeria?
Nigeria Air is the newest airline in Nigeria, which is expected to start flying by the middle of this year. Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, declared in November 2021 that Nigeria Air would take flight in the middle of 2022 following Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval.
Which airline is the best in Nigeria?
This question cannot have a clear-cut answer because everyone has different preferences. Arik Air, Air Peace, and Dana Air are some of the most well-known airlines in Nigeria.
Conclusion
Nigeria has numerous best affordable airlines that have been tested and approved. You can make your pick from among the top 10 we have listed. However, it would be best to out their prices to guide your decision. Unfortunately, we could not add the flight rate here because of its fluctuating nature, especially in this inflation period. Have a safe trip!