Ticket Prices May Crash as Saudi Airline Enters Nigeria, Picks Lagos, Abuja, Kano Routes
- A new foreign airline has commenced operations in Nigeria, with a maiden flight to the Aminu Kano International Airport
- The new airline will operate chartered flights fortnightly in Nigeria, flying into three international airports
- The new airline’s entry shows the lucrative nature of the Nigerian route as local airlines have also bagged new foreign routes
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.
A Saudi Arabia-based private international airline, Flydeal, has debuted in the Nigerian aviation sector, beginning fortnightly chartered flights into three airports in the country.
Flydeal chose the Aminu Kano International Airport as one of its destinations, saying it will also be operating into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
Source: Getty Images
Flydeal’s entry to crash ticket prices
According to a BusinessDay report, Sabitu Abdulaziz Mohammed, deputy president, Umrah Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN), said that Flydeal’s entry into Nigeria was one of the plans of the association to crash airline prices.
He stated that apart from stimulating flight ticket price reduction, the airline’s commencement of operations will also help to drive competition in the aviation industry in Nigeria, increasing the number of airlines flying the Kano route.
According to him, the association began experimenting with different airlines for close to five years, but landed a deal with the airline, adding that Flydeal is a Saudi Arabia-based airline.
He stated that the airline has its headquarters in Rayadi and operates different routes globally.
He said:
“In the last two years, like, we were able to sign an MoU with them, under the umbrella of our association, that they will start operating their aircraft mainly for our members, they are going to be flying into three airports, into Abuja, Lagos, and Kano, respectively.”
More Nigerian airlines pick up new routes
Flydeal’s entrance into the Nigerian aviation sector is strategic as more domestic airlines in the country are notching up foreign routes.
Recently, United Nigeria Airlines announced plans to commence flights to the US and the UK, while it is working on expanding its regional routes to Accra, Ghana, and Senegal.
The airline said it has obtained the requisite approvals from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and is awaiting the delivery of aircraft for the new routes.
Source: UGC
Air Peace to fly into Heathrow
Also, Air Peace recently secured a lucrative slot at Heathrow Airport following months of agitation that took threats from Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to actualise.
Air Peace said it will make its maiden flight to Heathrow on October 25, 2025.
The impact of Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines on Nigerian airlines has made them globally visible.
Air Peace slashes London fares
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has slashed its economy class tickets on the Abuja-London route.
The airline slashed its Abuja to Heathrow fares to N448,500 as it prepares to launch its maiden flight to the UK’s busiest airport on October 25, 2025.
Checks on the airline’s website showed that the cheapest ticket for economy class for November 9, 2025, from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to London Heathrow Airport is now N448,500.
Source: Legit.ng
