By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has announced the commencement of scheduled flight operations from the newl...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has announced the commencement of scheduled flight operations from the newly inaugurated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, with Overland Airways Limited as the pioneer airline partner.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, during a media briefing in Minna. According to him, flight operations will begin on April 23, 2025, connecting Minna to Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria’s political and commercial capitals, respectively.
Captain Boyo credited the milestone to the visionary leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, and the coordinated efforts of the New Niger Development Project (NNDP) and New Niger Aviation (NNA)—a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established to manage and enhance the aviation ecosystem in Niger State.
He emphasized that the partnership with Overland Airways—Nigeria’s longest-serving private domestic airline—marks a significant step toward realizing Governor Bago’s infrastructural development blueprint and positioning Niger State as a hub for investment, trade, and tourism in the region.
“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 State to bring growth closer to the people. We applaud Governor Bago and the NNA team for this bold and transformational move,” Boyo stated.
In a related development, Alhaji Liman Katamba Kutigi, Chief Operating Officer of NNA, noted that the launch represents more than a new air route—it signifies a gateway 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 core,” he said. “This is just the beginning of a broader agenda to transform Niger State into a key player in Nigeria’s aviation and logistics corridor.”
The Niger State Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the NNDP, also praised the development, highlighting the deliberate efforts made to ensure the airport’s infrastructure meets national and international aviation standards.
“The journey to make Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport operational has been deliberate and thorough. We are proud to deliver a world-class facility that reflects the state’s ambition and potential. Governor Bago’s unwavering commitment has made this milestone possible, and it is only the beginning,” the Ministry noted in a statement.
Flight Schedule:
Minna – Lagos – Minna: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Departure from Lagos: 8:00 AM
Departure from Minna: 3:00 PM
Minna – Abuja – Minna: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Departure from Minna: 9:30 AM
Departure from Abuja: 2:00 PM
Booking and Reservations:
Visit www.overlandairways.com or call: +234 803 123 4567 | +234 802 987 6543
Overland Airways, renowned for its excellence in regional air travel, will operate these flights using its brand-new Embraer E-175 aircraft. The airline, which has maintained IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration since 2015, operates a modern fleet that includes Embraer jets, ATR 42s, ATR 72s, and Beechcraft 1900Ds.
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