Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline, in partnership with Niger State Government, has announced the commencement of flight services to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport Minna, the capital city of Niger State from Lagos and Abuja, effective April 23, 2025.
Overland Airways will operate three weekly flights on the Minna-Lagos-Minna route and three weekly flights on the Minna-Abuja-Minna route. These flights will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft.
Flights will depart Lagos to Minna at 8am and Minna to Lagos at 3pm. Flights from Minna to Abuja will depart at 9:30am while Abuja to Minna will depart at 2pm.
Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways, said: “We are excited to commence flight services to Minna from Abuja, the Federal Capital, and Lagos, the Commercial hub of Nigeria. This flight services will facilitate trade, tourism and economic activities in Niger State and its environs and support the Government of Niger State in its quest to attract more direct investments and improve the livelihood of citizens of the State. We thank particularly, Mohammed Umar Bago, the Executive Governor of the Niger State for his passionate commitment to the growth and development of the State and for making the dream of a connected Niger State come true.”
The Niger State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), jointly stated, “It has been an uphill journey to bring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport to fruition—from its construction to its operationalization. Today, we are immensely proud to see this dream become a reality. We are honoured to have Overland Airways as the pioneer airline for this project, setting the foundation for expanded air travel connectivity in Niger State. Mr. Governor is particularly proud of this achievement, which aligns with his vision of modernizing infrastructure and boosting economic development in Niger State.”
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the New Niger Aviation, Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, stated: “This partnership with Overland Airways will ensure regular and robust flight services from Abuja and Lagos to Minna, Niger State. We are thrilled to partner with Overland Airways, which has a reputation for excellent customer service and reliability, and look forward to working together to reposition the aviation sector and economy of Niger State.”
“Known as the Power State, Niger State, the largest state in Nigeria by landmass and host of major hydroelectric power dams and other businesses, requires reliable air services to drive its economic development and Overland Airways is uniquely positioned to meet this need”, says Capt. Boyo.
Overland Airways’ service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the fifth consecutive time, reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
The airline commenced operations in 2002 with the aim of increasing the prosperity of the Nigerian hinterland by facilitating the transportation of businessmen, investors, government officials, and indigenous people from one point to another. To this day, it is the pride of Nigeria in the airline industry.
Overland Airways is a member airline of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is made up of 336 airlines. Overland Airways is also a member airline of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the umbrella association of airlines from the African Union States. Overland Airways achieved the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Registration in 2015, which has been consecutively renewed in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.
IOSA is a global benchmark for enhancing operational safety of airlines. The airline operates a fleet of modern equipment and facilities to provide high standard of service. Overland Airways has a fleet of modern aircraft including the Embraer E-175 jets, ATR-42s, ATR-72s and Beechcraft 1900Ds. Overland Airways has taken delivery of two brand new fully-owned Embraer E-175 jets out of the six E-175 jets it ordered since the 2021 Dubai Airshow. The Order was worth USD285 Million, at list price, with all options exercised.
The New Niger Aviation (NNA) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), established to manage and enhance the aviation sector in Niger State. Led by His Excellency, Dr. Mohammed Umaru Bago, Governor of Niger State, this initiative aims to improve efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability in air transportation.
With the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport on 11th March 2024, the New Niger Aviation is created out of the necessity to streamline and coordinate Overland Airways Limited operations, attract investments, and ensure compliance with international best practices.
