Overland Airways Expands Operations with New Flights to Minna’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu Int’l Airport
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest-serving privately owned domestic airline, has announced the commencement of flight services to Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, the capital city of Niger State.
In a statement, the airline said the new routes, which will link Minna with Lagos and Abuja, are set to begin operations on 23 April 2025.
The airline will operate three weekly flights on the Minna-Lagos-Minna and Minna-Abuja-Minna routes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday using its state-of-the-art Embraer 175 aircraft.
Departures from Lagos to Minna are scheduled for 8:00 a.m., while the return flight from Minna to Lagos will take off at 3:00 p.m. Flights from Minna to Abuja will depart at 9:30 a.m., with the return leg from Abuja to Minna scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, expressed excitement over the new development, stating, “We are excited to commence flight services to Minna from Abuja, the Federal Capital, and Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria. This flight service 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.”
Capt. Boyo further acknowledged the role played by the Niger State Government in making the project a reality. “We thank particularly His Excellency Mohammed Umar Bago, the Executive Governor of 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,” he added.
The Niger State Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), hailed the launch as a significant milestone for the state’s aviation sector.
“It has been an uphill journey to bring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport to fruition – from its construction to its operationalisation. 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,” the ministry stated.
Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, Chief Operating Officer of New Niger Aviation, highlighted the economic potential of the new routes.
“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,” he said.
Capt. Boyo also underscored the strategic importance of Niger State’s location, noting, “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.”
Overland Airways’ service offering has evolved significantly from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet, with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets.
The airline renewed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification for the fifth consecutive time in October 2024, reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
Established in 2002, Overland Airways operates a fleet of Embraer E-175 jets, ATR-42s, ATR-72s, and Beechcraft 1900Ds. The airline’s fleet expansion includes two brand-new Embraer E-175 jets, part of a six-aircraft order valued at $285 million, placed at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.
The launch of the Minna routes marks a significant milestone in the airline’s strategic expansion plan, aimed at enhancing connectivity, supporting regional economic growth, and improving air travel access across Nigeria and West Africa.
