Visualizing a Decade of Air Passenger Statistics in Nigeria

Air Passenger Traffic in Nigeria (10 Years)

• Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were yearly rises in both local and international travel, with nearly 18 million passengers utilizing air travel.
• In 2012, the Federal Government approved contracts to remodel the Nation’s Airports – the international terminals at Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu
• The Abuja airport was closed in March 2017 for 6 weeks in order to carry out repairs on the runway.
• COVID-19 impacted air travel globally leading to a decline in activity.
• Due to the pandemic, international flights were barred from March 23, 2020 to September 5 2020.

Air Passenger Traffic in Nigeria for International Travel

• Data available from FAAN show that Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports are the most active for international travel.
• Lagos Airport consistently accounts for more than 50% of monthly international flights.
• Lagos Airport’s monthly percentage reduces in the period leading to and after hajj pilgrimage.
• The most active months for all airports is during hajj pilgrimage.

• The Abuja airport was closed in March 2017 for 6 weeks in order to carry out repairs on the runway. This led to the low activity in march and April of that year.
• Since 2014, Kano overtook the Port Harcourt Airport has the 3rd most active airport for international travel.

Nigeria’s Share of Global Air Passenger Travel 

• Africa accounts for the lowest traffic in international travel but also accounts for the highest percentage for business and professional trips (UNWTO).
• Nigeria’s share of international travel is less than 0.50%. According to IATA, Africa is the largest market
  for passenger flows to and from Nigeria.
• From 2016, this reduced to about 0.25% and the lowest recorded in 2020 due to the global impact of the pandemic.

Frequent International Destinations Booked by Nigerians

• Cities within The United States and United Kingdom are popular destinations for Nigerians.
• Within Africa, Ghana and South Africa come out top.