UMZA Air has officially launched commercial operations on the Abuja–Ilorin route, entering the market with what it calls a permanently low and customer-friendly fare structure for travellers using the Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin. The airline commenced the service on Sunday, marking a strategic expansion of its growing domestic network.
Speaking with The PUNCH, the Managing Director and Accountable Manager of UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Mr. Anachuna Henry, said the airline intentionally set its ticket prices between N145,000 and N180,000. According to him, these fares are almost 60 per cent cheaper than what passengers currently pay for flights on the same route. Henry stressed that the reduced pricing is not a temporary promotional offer but a long-term policy designed to ease travel expenses for Nigerians, particularly those in the North Central region who have been grappling with rising ticket costs nationwide.
“These aren’t discount or introductory rates,” he clarified. “This is our standard fare. We chose this pricing model because affordability is central to our identity as an airline. What we are offering is nearly 60 per cent below the prevailing market rate for Ilorin flights.”
Henry revealed that ticket sales, which began on Monday, had already recorded significant demand. He attributed the surge in bookings to travellers’ eagerness for a cheaper and more sustainable option. “The response has been overwhelming. People are booking quickly because they can clearly see the price difference,” he said.
UMZA’s maiden flight on the route is scheduled to depart Abuja at 5 p.m. on Sunday, formally adding Ilorin to the airline’s expanding list of destinations, which already includes Kano, Yola, Sokoto, Kebbi, Maiduguri, and Lagos. For the Abuja–Ilorin service, UMZA Air will operate the G-400 XR turboprop aircraft, which Henry described as one of the safest and most dependable aircraft types used in civil aviation today.
He further confirmed that the Ilorin station is fully prepared for operations, with all necessary personnel, facilities, logistics, and equipment in place. He added that the airline has successfully fulfilled the regulatory and safety requirements set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
Industry experts believe UMZA’s entry into the Ilorin market could significantly impact domestic travel in the region. For years, passengers from states such as Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, and parts of Niger have largely relied on a single dominant airline charging higher fares. Analysts argue that UMZA’s low-cost model may disrupt this monopoly, giving travellers more options and encouraging price adjustments by competing operators.
With widespread complaints over rising airfare on the Abuja–Ilorin corridor, UMZA Air’s arrival is seen as a welcome relief. By offering stable, affordable pricing without compromising safety or quality of service, the airline aims to provide passengers with a more accessible and reliable travel alternative.
