The top 10 airlines in Nigeria in 2026 are Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Arik Air, ValueJet, Ibom Air, Aero Contractors, Max Air, Green Africa Airways, Rano Air and Overland Airways.
Nigeria has 23 active domestic airlines, according to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The NCAA does not publish an official ranking of Nigerian airlines, so this list considers current domestic route coverage, regional services and international operations.
Top 10 Airlines in Nigeria
| Rank | Airline | Operations | Key Destinations |
| 1 | Air Peace | Domestic, regional and international | Lagos, Abuja, London, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Mumbai |
| 2 | United Nigeria Airlines | Domestic and regional | Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Enugu, Kano, Port Harcourt |
| 3 | Arik Air | Domestic | Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Yola, Ibadan |
| 4 | ValueJet | Domestic and regional | Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Banjul, Cotonou, Malabo |
| 5 | Ibom Air | Domestic and regional | Uyo, Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Enugu |
| 6 | Aero Contractors | Domestic | Lagos, Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Sokoto |
| 7 | Max Air | Domestic | Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Yola, Maiduguri, Katsina |
| 8 | Green Africa Airways | Domestic | Lagos, Abuja, Akure, Benin, Ibadan, Ilorin |
| 9 | Rano Air | Domestic | Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Maiduguri |
| 10 | Overland Airways | Domestic and regional | Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin, Akure, Cotonou |
1. Air Peace
Air Peace takes the first position with 19 domestic destinations, nine regional destinations and four international destinations on its published network.
The airline serves Abuja, Akure, Anambra, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Gombe, Ibadan, Ilorin, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Warri and Yola within Nigeria.
Across Africa, Air Peace serves cities including Abidjan, Accra, Banjul, Dakar, Douala, Freetown, Lomé and Monrovia. Its international destinations include London, Johannesburg, Jeddah and Mumbai.
The carrier also operates Lagos–Antigua–Barbados services.
2. United Nigeria Airlines
United Nigeria Airlines serves major Nigerian cities and operates a regional route to Accra.
Its destination page lists Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Enugu, Asaba, Warri, Anambra, Bayelsa, Kano, Ilorin, Ekiti, Sokoto and Benin, together with Accra.
In 2026, the airline announced plans to add Monrovia, Banjul, Dakar, Abidjan and Conakry to its regional network.
3. Arik Air
Arik Air has served Nigeria since 2006 and operates domestic routes.
From Lagos, the airline lists Abuja, Ilorin, Kano, Owerri, Jos, Yola and Ibadan among its destinations. Its current route information also covers Port Harcourt, Warri and Benin City.
4. ValueJet
ValueJet combines domestic Nigerian routes with regional services.
Its Nigerian destinations include Abuja, Calabar, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Owerri and Port Harcourt. The airline also lists Banjul, Cotonou and Malabo among its international destinations.
ValueJet started Lagos–Accra flights on 30 March 2026 and added Lagos–Benin City services in May 2026.
5. Ibom Air
Ibom Air operates from Uyo under the ownership of the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Its network covers Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Accra.
6. Aero Contractors
Aero Contractors has operated in Nigeria since 1959.
Its current route information lists Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Calabar, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto and Yola. The company also provides aircraft maintenance and other aviation support services.
7. Max Air
Max Air serves several northern Nigerian cities alongside destinations in other parts of the country.
Its official destination list includes Abuja, Asaba, Kano, Yola, Sokoto, Owerri, Kebbi, Bauchi, Benin, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Lagos and Katsina.
Kano serves as the airline’s headquarters.
8. Green Africa Airways
Green Africa Airways flies between Nigerian cities.
Its current destination list includes Lagos, Abuja, Akure, Benin, Ibadan, Ilorin, Port Harcourt and Owerri.
9. Rano Air
Rano Air operates domestic flights between cities across Nigeria.
Its current destinations include Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Bauchi, Maiduguri, Katsina and Osubi.
10. Overland Airways
Overland Airways operates domestic flights and selected regional services.
Its Nigerian route information includes Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Ilorin, Akure, Dutse, Minna and Warri. Its regional network includes Cotonou, Lomé and Niamey.
New Nigerian Airline: Enugu Air
Enugu Air received its Air Operator Certificate from the NCAA on 10 March 2026, allowing it to commence scheduled flight operations. The regulator completed its certification requirements before issuing the certificate.
The airline does not feature in the top 10 because this list considers established route networks alongside current operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the local airlines in Nigeria?
Major Nigerian airlines include Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Arik Air, ValueJet, Ibom Air, Aero Contractors, Max Air, Green Africa Airways, Rano Air and Overland Airways.
Which airline is the best in Nigeria?
The NCAA does not publish an official ranking of the best airline in Nigeria. Travellers can compare airlines by route, schedule, destination and fare.
Which airline is the cheapest in Nigeria?
Airfares change according to the airline, route, travel date, booking time, available seats and fare type. No airline offers the lowest fare on every domestic route.
How much does a flight cost in Nigeria?
Domestic ticket prices depend on the route, airline, travel date and booking period. A Lagos–Abuja ticket can therefore cost more or less than a ticket on another route.
Which airlines fly from Lagos to Abuja?
Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Arik Air, ValueJet and Max Air operate flights between Lagos and Abuja.
Which airline flies from Lagos to Kano?
Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, Arik Air, ValueJet and Max Air operate flights between Lagos and Kano.
Which airlines fly from Lagos to Port Harcourt?
Air Peace, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Ibom Air, United Nigeria Airlines and ValueJet operate direct flights between Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Which Nigerian airlines fly to Dubai?
The Nigerian airlines in this list do not currently publish Dubai as a destination.
Which Nigerian airline flies to the United States?
The NCAA states that Nigerian registered carriers can operate direct flights to the United States under Nigeria’s FAA Category One status.
Which international destinations does Air Peace serve?
Air Peace lists London, Johannesburg, Jeddah and Mumbai as international destinations.
Is Air Peace a Nigerian airline?
Yes. Air Peace is a Nigerian airline that operates domestic, regional and international flights.
Is Ibom Air owned by the government?
Yes. The Akwa Ibom State Government owns Ibom Air. The airline operates from Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo and serves destinations in Nigeria and Ghana.
Is Arik Air still operating in Nigeria?
Yes. Arik Air operates domestic flights from Lagos to destinations including Abuja, Ilorin, Kano, Owerri, Jos, Yola and Ibadan.
Is Aero Contractors still operating?
Yes. Aero Contractors operates domestic passenger flights in Nigeria.
Which airport is the busiest in Nigeria?
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos is Nigeria’s main aviation gateway. The NCAA says the airport handles more than 60% of total passenger and aircraft movement in its industry overview.
What is the main airport in Nigeria?
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos is Nigeria’s principal international airport. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja also handles domestic and international flights.
Conclusion
The top 10 airlines in Nigeria in 2026 include carriers with domestic, regional and international routes. Air Peace has the largest published network in this list, while other airlines connect cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Uyo.
