An airline is a business that offers freight and passenger air transportation services. Airlines utilise planes to provide these services, and they may collaborate with other airlines through alliances or partnerships to run the same flight under a codeshare arrangement. An air operating certificate or licence issued by a governmental aviation organisation typically serves as recognition for airline firms. Airlines may operate on a scheduled or charter basis.
Prior to the 1930s, most major airlines were largely owned by private individuals. From the 1940s through the 1980s, many airlines were owned by the government before returning to widespread privatisation. Along with major airline mergers and airline alliance formation, a tendency has been seen since the 1980s. In 2015, the top three alliances by membership—Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld—accounted for more than 60% of all commercial air travel worldwide. Airline alliances coordinate their customer service initiatives (such as lounge access and frequent flyer programmes), provide special interline fares, and frequently engage in substantial codesharing (sometimes systemwide).
Meanwhile, the number of local airlines operating in Nigeria has increased dramatically during the past ten years.
Typically, these airlines transport travellers to the nation’s major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, and Enugu. Additionally, several airlines offer private charter services.
DOMESTIC AIRLINES IN NIGERIA
Arik Air, Dana Air, Air Peace, and many other well-known domestic airlines operate in Nigeria.
The local airlines operating in the nation are listed here, along with brief summaries of each.
ARIK AIR
One of the main airlines in the nation is Arik Air. The airline has two hubs: Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos.
The Arik Air Aviation Centre on the grounds of Ikeja’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport houses the company’s headquarters.
In 2006, the business acquired the former Nigeria Airways buildings in Lagos. It then received two brand-new Bombardier aircraft, which were used to operate domestic routes in Nigeria.
Arik Air declared in 2010 that it has carried 5 millionth passenger. The airline once more announced in 2012 that it had carried its 10 millionth passenger.
AERO CONTRACTORS
Another Nigerian airline, Aero Contractors, has its main office at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
The airline, which was founded in 1959, runs domestic and international scheduled flights, air charter flights, and third-party aircraft operations, mostly in support of 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.
Unfortunately, the economic crisis had a negative impact on Aero Contractors, which resulted in the suspension of all planned operations beginning on September 1, 2016.
Aero Contractors owned 7 aircraft in total as of 2017, including Boeing and De Havilland models. The organisation provides services in Accra, Ghana, as well as Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Sokoto, significant cities in Nigeria.
OVERLAND AIRWAYS
Overland Airways was established in 2002 and is based in Ikeja. Nine planes in the company’s fleet transport passengers to ten important locations. Abuja, Akure, Asaba, Bauchi, Dutse, Ibadan, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Ikeja are a few of these.
AIR PEACE
One of the best domestic airlines in the nation is said to be Air Peace. it was established in 2013 and offers delivery to 13 locations at the moment.
Air Peace also travels to Accra, Freetown, Banjul, Dakar, and Monrovia in addition to important Nigerian destinations including Abuja, Akure, Calabar, and Enugu, among others.
The corporate headquarters of the corporation are situated at 25 Sobo Arobiodu Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
With the goal of providing seamless connectivity and network alternatives for domestic, regional, and global markets, Air Peace was founded with this goal in mind.
DANA AIR
Another significant airline in the nation is Dana Air. The airline was established in 2008 and has its present Ikeja headquarters. Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos serves as its base of operations.
The company operates 4 aeroplanes in total, flying to popular locations throughout Nigeria, including Abuja, Lagos, Owerri, Port Harcourt, and Uyo.
MED-VIEW AIRLINES
One of the largest airlines in the nation, Med-View Airline was established in 2007. The airline initially flew pilgrims to Mecca for the Hajj but has recently added scheduled passenger services on regional and long-distance routes.
Following its successful debut in 2007, Med-view was requested by the National Hajj Commission to assist in conducting rescue operations for pilgrims who became lost while travelling to Saudi Arabia in Ilorin, Lagos, Sokoto, Maiduguri, and Yola, as well as those who became lost while travelling from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria. However, Med-view is not yet permitted to conduct business within the European Union.
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.
In Ikeja, Lagos, at 21 Olowu Street, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, is where Med-headquarters view’s are situated.
IRS AIRLINES
The airline IRS Airline is situated in Abuja. The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport serves as its primary hub, where it runs regular domestic passenger routes.
The airline now offers service to six locations, including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri, and Yola, using a fleet of four aircraft. In 2002, IRS Airline was founded, and in March of that year, it began operating.
FIRST NATION AIRWAYS
First Nation Airways, a local carrier with one aircraft with service to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, was established in 2011.
AZMAN AIR
The local airline Azman Air was founded in Kano, Nigeria, in 2010 by businessman Abdulmunaf Yu.