Air Peace and Arik Air have emerged as the dominant forces in Nigeria’s domestic air travel sector, collectively accounting for a substantial portion of the nation’s passenger traffic in 2024. According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) passenger traffic report, these two airlines transported a combined total of over 5.3 million passengers out of the 15.6 million recorded nationwide.
Air Peace led the pack, carrying 3,114,040 passengers, comprising 1,544,492 inbound and 1,569,548 outbound travellers. This dominance is attributed to the airline’s expansive network, encompassing major Nigerian cities, its West Coast operations, and its recent foray into the London route. “For Air Peace, the increase in patronage is not unconnected with its wider coverage of major cities in the country, West Coast operation, and international presence on the London route,” stated the report.
Arik Air followed closely, transporting 2,239,176 passengers, with 1,112,358 inbound and 1,126,818 outbound. This performance is particularly noteworthy given the airline’s ongoing legal battles and its receivership under the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since 2017.
“With a 13.4 per cent market share out of the 11.5 million total domestic passengers, Arik Air’s sustained dominance highlights its strong operational efficiency,” noted Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative. “This result demonstrates Arik’s operational stability under Receivership. Despite financial constraints, distractive litigations, fleet limitations, and regulatory challenges, the airline continued to deliver reliable air travel services, showing effective route management and passenger demand optimisation.”
Other significant players in the domestic market included Ibom Air, which transported 1,323,974 passengers, Aero Contractors with 964,900, and Max Air with 915,918. The now-suspended Dana Air recorded 299,040 passengers, while Green Africa carried 389,399.
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The NCAA report also highlighted international travel trends, revealing that Nigeria recorded 4,135,830 international passengers. Qatar Airways led this segment with 531,086 passengers, followed by Ethiopian Airlines with 460,171.
Capt. Roland Iyayi, Managing Director of Top Brass Aviation Limited, emphasized the significance of Arik Air’s performance. “The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria’s (AMCON) strategic support deserves recognition for its crucial role in stabilising Arik Air, ensuring its continued operations, and maintaining confidence among passengers.”
He added, “Without AMCON’s intervention, the airline would not have remained a key player in Nigeria’s aviation industry. Arik Air’s ability to thrive under receivership reaffirms AMCON’s commitment to preserving jobs, sustaining economic contributions, and ensuring safe, reliable airline services for Nigerian travellers.”
The overall domestic passenger traffic in 2024 reached 11,549,443, slightly below the 15.8 million recorded in 2023. This fluctuation suggests a dynamic market influenced by various economic and operational factors.
The resilience of Air Peace and Arik Air, particularly in the face of operational and legal challenges, underscores their critical role in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Their performance not only reflects their operational capabilities but also highlights the evolving dynamics of the country’s air travel industry.
