OVERLAND Airways to commence commercial flights in Minna from 23 April 2025.
By Yahaya Zakka, Minna.
The partnership between the Niger State Government and Overland Airways is set to take off, with commercial flights scheduled to begin at Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna on April 23, 2025.
Starting on this date, Overland Airways will operate three weekly flights each to Lagos and Abuja. The flight schedule includes three weekly flights on the Minna-Lagos-Minna route and three weekly flights on the Minna-Abuja-Minna route.
Flights will depart from Lagos to Minna at 8:00 AM and from Minna to Lagos at 3:00 PM. For the Minna to Abuja route, flights will leave at 9:30 AM, with return flights from Abuja to Minna scheduled at 2:00 PM.
The initiation of these commercial flights is part of an initiative by Governor Umaru Bago, who has long advocated for enhanced air travel at the BAT International Airport in Minna.
This effort aims to promote economic growth and development within the state. The new flight services are expected to stimulate trade and economic activities, both locally and externally.
This development aligns with Governor Bago’s vision of establishing a progressive Niger State that adheres to global best practices. It is also anticipated to boost tourism and attract more investors, ultimately improving the livelihoods of the state’s residents.
The Niger State Government, under the leadership of Governor Umaru Bago, chose Overland Airways for its reputation as Nigeria’s longest-serving domestic airline, which has recently renewed its IOSA safety certification for the fifth consecutive year, affirming its status as a safe and leading African carrier.
Overland Airways is a registered airline authorized to operate charter and scheduled passenger and cargo flights. It is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), which represents airlines from African Union states.
The operations of Overland Airways will be overseen by the New Niger Aviation (NNA), a Special Purpose Vehicle established under the New Niger Development Project (NNDP), which aims to manage and enhance the aviation sector in Niger State.