Lagos: Turkish Airlines has expressed plans to increase flight frequencies to Lagos and Abuja as part of a strategic five-year vision to cement its leadership in the Nigerian aviation market. The General Manager, Turkish Airlines, Mr. Lokman Balkan, announced this at a press conference on Monday in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Balkan stated that the airline’s five-year vision in Nigeria aims to provide exceptional experiences by increasing investments, particularly by adding more flight frequencies to Lagos and Abuja. Turkish Airlines has been operating in Nigeria for almost 20 years, with Lagos as its first destination in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, the airline operates daily flights to Lagos and four flights weekly to Abuja.
Balkan emphasized the company’s commitment to quality and growth, noting that Turkish Airlines remains unfazed by the influx of new competitors in the Nigerian airspace. He pointed to its recent accolade as ‘Expatriate Airline of the Year’ in Lagos as evidence of local trust. The company plans to double down on ‘service localisation’ by integrating Nigerian flavors and culture into its global offerings to stay ahead of competition from Middle Eastern and European rivals.
To maintain these standards, the airline conducts regular audits of its Nigerian operations. Balkan highlighted Turkish Airlines’ efforts to redefine the Nigerian passenger experience by integrating services into a single ecosystem to meet the digital-first expectations of modern travelers. Through the Turkish Airlines Holidays platform, passengers can manage flights, hotels, and ground services in one place.
Balkan also mentioned that the airline’s physical service remains a differentiator. In Nigeria, this includes localized dining with four rotating monthly menus in Economy Class specifically for Nigerian routes, featuring locally inspired dishes. The company is promoting cultural integration through inbound tourism by adding Nollywood films to its Inflight Entertainment system and showcasing promotional videos of Nigeria’s heritage to global passengers.
Additionally, the airline offers transit perks such as the ‘Layover’ programme and ‘Touristanbul,’ allowing Nigerian travelers to turn layovers into mini-vacations without requiring a transit visa. Balkan highlighted the airline’s commitment to personalized service, which sets it apart and has been recognized with awards like the ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ at Skytrax 2025.
On trade relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Turkey, Balkan mentioned that Turkish Airlines is pushing for a global gateway for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The airline’s network spans 132 countries and 356 destinations, a feat recognized by the Guinness World Records, positioning Istanbul as the primary gateway for Nigerian entrepreneurs. Istanbul’s strategic location offers Nigerian SMEs ‘unparalleled connectivity’ to six continents, with Turkish Airlines playing a significant role in facilitating this.
Balkan added that Turkish Airlines is facilitating meetings between the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies and Turkish tourism boards, actively building a bilateral trade corridor that extends beyond simple ticket sales. He disclosed that the airline recorded 92.6 million passengers, 273.2 billion available seat kilometers, and an 83.2 percent load factor in 2025.