Nigeria’s Direct Flight Network Expands Across Four Continents
Nigeria has established itself as a key Air Travel Hub in West Africa, offering direct flights to 30 countries across four continents. According to aviation data compiled by Statisense from FlightConnections, the Country’s International Airports handle a significant volume of traffic, connecting passengers to destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Within Africa, Nigerian carriers and International partners operate direct flights to 20 countries, including:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Morocco
- Niger
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Togo
- Uganda
These connections support regional trade and family visits across the Continent.
In Asia, direct services are available to:
- Lebanon
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
The Saudi routes are especially significant during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, while Gulf destinations continue to serve business and labour migration flows.
In Europe, Nigeria maintains direct links with:
- France
- Germany
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
These routes are heavily used by business travelers and members of the Nigerian diaspora.
In North America, direct flights connect Lagos and Abuja to major hubs in the:
- United States (Atlanta and New York)
As of August 2025, Nigeria’s network covers 56 airports in 30 countries and is serviced by 38 airlines, including domestic operators such as:
- Air Peace
- Ibom Air
- United Nigeria Airlines
Alongside global carriers like:
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Lufthansa
- British Airways
- Emirates
Longest Non-Stop Route
The longest current non-stop route is Lagos–Atlanta, covering 5,835 miles in nearly 12 hours.
New Route to Brazil
Nigeria is preparing to add Brazil to its direct flight list following the signing of a Bilateral Air Service Agreement. Air Peace is expected to operate the route, with LATAM Airlines likely to reciprocate. The move will revive a connection last served by VARIG in the 1970s and 1990s and is expected to cut travel time to about 10 hours.
With the addition of Brazil, Nigeria’s direct flight network will expand to 31 countries, strengthening its position as a regional aviation hub.
Full List of Countries with Direct Flights from Nigeria
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Germany
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Niger
- Qatar
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Togo
- Turkey
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Kenya
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Togo
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- United States
- France
- Germany
The list will soon expand to 31 countries with the addition of Brazil.
