BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Nigeria’s domestic aviation landscape is deepening its vibrancy as Gateway Air, the Ogun State-owned airline, has rolled out an expanded flight network connecting major cities across the country in what officials describe as a strategic push to improve national mobility, deepen connectivity and unlock new economic corridors.
The expansion was announced in a statement issued at the weekend by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, who said the new routes reflect the state’s broader ambition to strengthen transport infrastructure and position Ogun State as a key aviation link within Nigeria.
According to the statement, Gateway Air will commence scheduled operations on Monday, 13 April 2026, introducing a multi-route structure that connects Iperu, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Jos, and Kano—cities spread across Nigeria’s major economic and administrative zones.
Under the new network, the airline will operate the following routes: Iperu–Abuja, Abuja–Port Harcourt, Abuja–Calabar, Abuja–Jos, and Iperu–Kano, effectively positioning Abuja as a central hub while elevating Iperu as an emerging departure point in Nigeria’s domestic aviation system.
Flights are scheduled to operate four days weekly—Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, a frequency designed to serve both business travellers and leisure passengers while allowing for consistent midweek connectivity across regions.
Economy class fares have been pegged at ₦100,000, placing Gateway Air within a competitive pricing bracket in a market where airlines continue to grapple with rising operational costs, foreign exchange pressures, and increasing demand for domestic air travel.
Officials say the expansion is not merely a commercial rollout but part of a wider strategy to strengthen intercity mobility and reduce the pressure on road transport corridors that link northern and southern Nigeria.
The new routes are expected to ease travel time, improve business access, and enhance tourism flows between key urban centres.
In particular, the inclusion of cities such as Calabar, Jos, and Kano reflects an attempt to balance established aviation hubs with underserved routes, potentially opening up new passenger demand and improving regional integration.
The airline also reiterated that the initiative is aimed at improving convenience for travellers who often face limited direct flight options between certain parts of the country, especially between the north and south without multiple stopovers.
Aviation analysts note that the development highlights a growing trend of subnational involvement in aviation, where state-backed carriers are increasingly used as instruments for economic development, investment attraction, and regional visibility.
For Ogun State, Gateway Air represents both an infrastructure asset and a policy tool—one designed to connect its industrial base more efficiently to the rest of the country while strengthening its position in national logistics and mobility planning.
Passengers have been encouraged to take advantage of early booking opportunities and to monitor official communication channels for updates on schedules and operational details as the airline prepares for launch.
Gateway Air reiterated its commitment to safe, reliable, and customer-focused operations, stating that the new network expansion marks a significant step toward building a more connected and accessible domestic aviation system in Nigeria.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
