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By Chinelo Obogo
Despite economic challenges plaguing households and businesses, Nigeria’s domestic air passenger traffic climbed to 13.09 million in 2025, a development that highlighted the growing reliance on air travel for business and leisure across the country.
Data released by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in its 2025 passenger traffic analysis report showed that more Nigerians travelled by air within the country last year, showing increased demand on major domestic routes despite economic pressures and rising operational costs in the sector.
According to the report, domestic passenger traffic increased from 12.54 million in 2024 to 13.09 million in 2025, representing a growth of 4.33 per cent.
The figures also revealed that domestic travel continued to account for the largest share of passenger movement across Nigerian airports, making up nearly three-quarters of total air traffic recorded during the year.
Overall passenger traffic across the country’s airports rose from 16.94 million in 2024 to 17.94 million in 2025, representing an increase of about 5.9 per cent.
While domestic travel remained dominant, international travel recorded faster growth. International passenger numbers rose from 4.40 million in 2024 to 4.85 million in 2025, reflecting a 10.26 per cent increase as global travel demand continued its post-pandemic recovery.
FAAN data showed that domestic passengers accounted for 72.96 per cent of total air traffic in 2025, while international travellers represented 27.04 per cent.
The report noted that domestic passenger traffic experienced a setback between 2022 and 2023 but returned to growth in 2024 and maintained that momentum in 2025. International travel, on the other hand, followed a steadier recovery path over the same period.
Industry stakeholders say the latest figures demonstrate the critical role aviation continues to play in connecting Nigeria’s major commercial centres and state capitals.
The busiest routes remain those linking Lagos with other major cities, particularly Abuja, which serves as the nation’s political and administrative headquarters.
Providing insight into domestic flight operations, the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited and Head of Aeronautical and Cargo Services, Remi Jibodu, said the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) in Lagos currently handles between 60 and 65 flight departures daily.
According to him, the Lagos-Abuja route remains the busiest domestic air corridor due to the high volume of government, corporate and business travel between both cities.
He added that Asaba and Port Harcourt also rank among the most active destinations served from the terminal.
The latest passenger figures come amid broader signs of recovery and expansion within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
In 2024, international passenger traffic at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos grew by 6.5 per cent to 4.3 million passengers, up from 4.04 million recorded in 2023.
International cargo operations also expanded significantly during the period, increasing by 11.31 per cent to about 150 million kilograms, while aircraft movements rose by 7.69 per cent.
Domestic operations, however, faced challenges in 2024, with passenger traffic declining by 6.46 per cent from 13.37 million in 2023 to 12.5 million. Aircraft movements on domestic routes also fell by 6.81 per cent.
Despite that temporary slowdown, the strong rebound recorded in 2025 suggests renewed confidence among travellers and improved demand for local air services.
Nigeria’s aviation market is also strengthening its position within Africa. According to industry data from OAG, the country recorded more than one million available one-way departing airline seats in June 2026, representing a 21.3 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
On the domestic front, Nigeria ranked second in Africa for airline seat capacity, behind only South Africa.
Domestic seat capacity rose by 21.7 per cent year-on-year to 730,216 seats, making Nigeria one of the continent’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
Although countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Ethiopia still maintain larger aviation markets overall, the latest figures highlight growing airline activity and increasing passenger demand in Nigeria.
The FAAN report further confirms that domestic travel remains the engine room of Nigeria’s aviation industry, even as international travel continues to recover at a faster pace.
