The Niger State Government has announced the commencement of scheduled commercial flights from the newly inaugurated Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna. The flights, operated by Overland Airways, are set to begin on 23 April 2025 and will connect Minna with Abuja and Lagos — Nigeria’s political and commercial capitals.
This development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, during a visit to Minna.
Captain Boyo attributed the milestone to the “visionary leadership” of Governor Mohammed Bago and the strategic efforts of the New Niger Development Project (NNDP) and New Niger Aviation (NNA), a Special Purpose Vehicle established to oversee the aviation sector in the state.
He remarked, “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.”
In his remarks, the Chief Operating Officer of NNA, Alhaji Liman Kutigi, said, “This launch is more than an air route—it’s 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 centre.”
The Niger State Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with NNDP, also celebrated the development, stating, “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 State’s potential and ambition. The governor’s commitment has been relentless, and this milestone is just the beginning.”
Flight schedules have been confirmed as follows:
- Minna – Lagos – Minna: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Lagos to Minna: 8:00 AM
- Minna to Lagos: 3:00 PM
- Minna – Abuja – Minna: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Minna to Abuja: 9:30 AM
- Abuja to Minna: 2:00 PM
Overland Airways will operate the routes using its modern Embraer E-175 aircraft. The airline, which has held the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification since 2015, also operates a fleet that includes ATR-42s, ATR-72s, and Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.