Top 10 Best Airlines in Nigeria will list the Airlines we consider the best Airlines in Nigeria. Actually, this has no particular order or preference.

Best Airlines in Nigeria

Ever since the 3rd Of September 1908 when the first airplane was flown into the sky, the air has begun to be a great business as thousands of people have decided to buy planes in order to make their movements and that of others possible in the air.

This however has led to competition amongst airline operators because just like in other sectors, one company has always strived to be better than the other.

In this article, we will shift our focus off the world as a whole, and narrow the point to the best Airlines in Nigeria.

When you want to go on a journey by flight, the airline you board could either make the experience a remarkable one or a regrettable one.

Some airliners are just after the huge profits that come from the businesses while others are so keen on quality service delivery.

Out of the over 25 airlines that have the air operator and certificate issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, few of them still serve as a ‘go-to’ when it comes to quality air transport services in the country.

Please Note: These airlines listed here are in no order of preference, they are all the best and you may decide which one is the best for you.

The 10 Best Airlines in Nigeria

The 10 Best Airlines in Nigeria are as follows:

1. AeroContractors Company of Nigeria

This group is one of the oldest airlines in Nigeria, they were duly registered in 1960. They are popularly referred to as AeroContractors by those who use them and the general public.

The company is one that is controlled by the Federal Government of Nigeria and it is based at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The company operates a combined fleet of around 20 helicopters and 15 airlines ranging from 50-seat Dash 8 to 144-seat Boeing 737-400/500

The first fixed-wing aircraft are normally used for domestic and international passengers’ schedules and air charter while the rotary-wing provides helicopter services mostly to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

Through the company, 1,300 people have been gainfully employed to be on their payroll. They have also received many unannounced awards for scheduled operations, consistently offering the most reliable services and the best affordable fare for an airline like theirs.

While introducing new initiatives into the local market to empower more people to fly more often. With its excellent safety record, Aero has consistently invested in the safety and security of its customers, equipment, operations, and staff. Currently, AeroContractors travels to about 13 destinations and has 17 fixed-wing Aircraft in its fleet.

2. Dana Air

Most of my local flights have been with this great airline company. Dana Air has strived for 10 consecutive years now to offer world-class aviation services to Nigerians by being the country’s best domestic airline (by my rating though based on my personal experiences).

The company is committed to improving the well-being of its customers through quality services, promptness, affordability, safety, staff and customers welfare, etc. In all they do, they seek to give their customers the best they deserve before, during, and after their flight.

However, Dana Air is a domestic airline with its base in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria and it serves 5 airports. Since no one is perfect, the airline had a crush on the 3rd of June 2012 and its license was revoked by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

Its license was restored in September 2012. Its license was suspended again in October 2013 and the airline was audited before it continued operation in January 2014.

At the time of the publication of this article, Dana Air has only 5 Aircraft, this includes 1 Boeing 737-500 and 4 McDonnell Douglas MD-83 which would soon be replaced with 5 Boeing 737-800. Dana air is the most reliable of all the airlines in the country at the moment.

Presently, Dana Air operates mainly as a domestic carrier with the following destinations: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Uyo.

3. Arik Air

Arik Air has its head office at the Arik Air Aviation Center on the grounds of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.

It was founded in 2002 and due to some logistics that needed to be put in place, it began operations in 2006 when it operated passenger flights to Lagos and Abuja respectively.

Arik Air is one of the leading airlines in the country that operates domestic, regional, and international flights because the airline was authorized by the Federal Government to fly to international destinations like Amsterdam, Trinidad, Tobago, London, and Madrid. This airline had built a strong domestic and regional network with this network waxing stronger as the years go by.

Currently, it travels to about 27 destinations with its fleet of Air-crafts. These destinations include 9 Boeing 737-700, 4 Boeing 737-800, 4 Bombardier CRJ900, 4 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, 1 Bombardier CRJ1000, and 2 Airbus A330- 200.

They operate from two main Airports in the country which include Murtala Muhammad International Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja.

4. Air Peace

Air Peace is a privately owned Nigerian airline with a head office in Lagos State, Nigeria. It provides passenger and charter services and serves the major cities of Nigeria.

Air Peace was founded in 2013 with the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos as its main base. It is among the best airlines in Nigeria.

The airline provides passenger and charter services to major airports/aerodromes in Nigerian cities. Air Peace airline had been approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a national carrier to 5 countries which include the USA, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, China, and India.

Peace Bird maintains 7 fleets of aircraft. Which are 4 Boeing 737-500 SP, 2 Boeing 737-300, and 1 Dornier 328 which is used on a charter flight only.

The emergence of Air Peace Airlines in the aviation market has provided the opportunity for many unemployed people to find a job.

In terms of service delivery and affordability, Air Peace may top the table because they not only stick to time but maintain a strict zero tolerance for lateness to flights. Though they could be biased at times.

5. Max Air is one of the Best Airlines in Nigeria

Max Air is a Nigerian charter operator that is based at Katsina Airport. This airline was formerly called Mangal Airline in 2008. Max Air operates a fleet of Boeing narrowbody and widebody aircraft on various charter missions across the globe.

Max Air has specialist experience in providing services for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Max Air launched scheduled domestic services with Boeing 737 aircraft on the 12th of July, 2018.

This airline is a member of the AFDIN Group of Companies having Dahiru Barau Mangal as its Chairman and CEO. Currently, Max Air has 7 fleets of aircraft. These are 4 Boeing 747-300, 2 Boeing 747-400, and 1 Embraer ERJ 135.

6. Azman Air

This is a domestic airline company based in Kano state. They begin their operations from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Its operations are domestic and scheduled passenger services are to 6 scheduled destinations in the country. Currently, it has 2 Boeing 737-300 and 1 Boeing 737-500.

The airline is generally known for its world-class aviation services and has good customer relationships as well as operational competence.

They are also known for their adherence to globally accredited safety standards and they have consistently reviewed its products and services in order to offer better services to its passengers.

7. Med-View Airline

This Nigerian-based airline was founded in 2007, Med-View Airline was formerly a charter airline meant for moving/airlifting pilgrims from Nigeria to Jeddah. Saudi Arabia for Hajj but had started offering domestic passenger services in 2012 and now even goes international sometimes.

Med-View Airline is based in Lagos and offers flight services to 3 international and 8 domestic scheduled destinations. They are engaged in long-haul travel.

Med-View is one of the airlines in Nigeria that routes passengers to Europe, Asia, and West Africa. Starting some months after Arik Air started, Med-View Airline is still expanding its fleet of Aircraft.

The services offered by Med-View Airlines include; Aircraft Charter, Airport Protocol Services, Cargo Import / Export, Cargo Import / Export, Domestic Operations, etc.

Currently, Med-View Airline has 1 Boeing 767-300ER, 2 Boeing 737-400, and 1 Boeing 737-500. Apart from the ones owned by them the company sometimes leases Boeing 747 and a Boeing 777 for Hajj operations when the need arises.

8. IRS Airlines is also one of the Best Airlines in Nigeria

In listing the bests airlines, one cannot overlook the IRS which would also make the list as one of the best domestic airlines in the country. The airline is based in Abuja with its main hub located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja from where it operates scheduled domestic passenger services.

The airline has a fleet size of 4 aircraft and currently delivers to 6 destinations which include Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Akwa-Ibom, Lagos, Maiduguri, and Yola.

The Airline was established in 2002 and started operations in March of the same year. Aside from very high safety records, their services are quite flexible as flight tickets, flight schedules and online booking reservations can be done online without any complications.

9. Allied Air

This is one of the leading local airlines in the country. Its main focus is on cargo freighting. The airline has proved itself unbeatable in this category. The headquarters of Allied Air is in Lagos, Nigeria. Their fleet has three aircraft.

Allied Air is the Designated Cargo Airline on numerous routes across Africa under the Bi-Lateral Services Agreement having been fully authorized by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority as a Nigerian Flag Carrier. The routes include Accra, Abidjan, Banjul, Cotonou, Dakar, Douala, Freetown, etc.

The Airline is today the only indigenous Airline with its own purpose-built transit cargo shed at the Murtala Mohamed International Airport. Allied Air was voted Airline of the year for a record of 3 consecutive times.

Top 10 Best Airlines in Nigeria

Best Airlines in Nigeria