News Investigators/ The Niger Government has announced the commencement of scheduled flights from the newly inaugurated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, with Overland Airways Ltd as the pioneer airline partner.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, on Friday in Minna,
He revealed that the flights were scheduled to begin on April 23, 2025, connecting Minna to Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria’s political and commercial capitals, respectively..
According to him, the achievement comes through the visionary leadership of Gov. Umaru Bago, the strategic efforts of the New Niger Development Project (NNDP) and the New Niger Aviation (NNA).
NNA is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created to manage and enhance the aviation ecosystem in Niger.
Boyo stated that the partnership with Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest-serving private domestic airline, represents a key milestone in actualising Bago’s infrastructural development blueprint
The bold will also position Niger as a a regional hub for investments, trade, and tourism.
“We are honoured to be chosen as the launch airline for this historic route.
“This service underscores our commitment to expanding connectivity across Nigeria and partnering with visionary governments like Niger.
“This is to bring growth closer to the people.
“We applaud Bago and the NNA team for this bold and transformational move,” he stated.
Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of NNA, Alhaji Liman Katamba-Kutigi said that the launch was more than an air route.
He added,: ‘It is a bridge to opportunity.
“By partnering with Overland Airways, we are setting a new standard in regional air connectivity, with safety, reliability, and economic impact at the center.”
Katamba-Kutigi added that the gesture was the beginning of a broader agenda to transform Niger into a key player in Nigeria’s aviation and logistics corridor.
In their separate submission, Hajiya Hadiza Idris-Kuta, Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Transport, and Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, Chairman, New Niger Development Projects (NNDP), also stated: “The journey to make Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport operational has been long and deliberate—from infrastructure in compliance with aviation standards.
“We are proud to deliver a world-class airport that reflects Niger’s potential and ambition.
“The Governor’s commitment has been relentless, and this milestone is just the beginning.”they disclosed.
According to plans, the flight schedules are as follows: Minna – Lagos – Minna: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, while it
departs Lagos to Minna: 8:00 am
departs Minna to Lagos: 3:00 pm.
Minna – Abuja – Minna: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and to depart Minna to Abuja: 9:30am as well depart Abuja to Minna: 2:00 pm.
For bookings and reservations, visit www.overlandairways.com or call: +234 803 123 4567 | +234 802 987 6543
Consequently, Overland Airways is known for its excellence in regional air travel, will operate these flights using its brand-new Embraer E-175 aircraft. The airline has maintained IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registered since 2015 and operates a fleet that includes Embraer jets, ATR-42s, ATR-72s, and Beechcraft 1900Ds respectively.
