Flying private into Nigeria: permits, terminals and the cabotage rule

Flying privately into Nigeria is straightforward when it is planned, and frustrating when it is not. The rules that catch people out are few: a landing permit that takes days rather than hours, and a cabotage rule that stops a foreign jet carrying you between Nigerian cities. This guide covers both, and what to expect at the terminals.

The landing permit

Any foreign-registered aircraft flying into Nigeria needs a landing permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The authority typically needs at least three days to process it, and specialist flight-support firms advise filing five to seven working days before arrival. Once issued, a permit is usually valid for a window of 48 to 72 hours around the planned time.

The operator files the application with the aircraft’s papers: registration, airworthiness and radio certificates, insurance, the schedule and alternates, and the crew and passenger manifest with passport details. Emergency processing exists at extra cost. Medical evacuation, diplomatic and humanitarian flights are separate categories with their own documents.

The practical point is simple. A foreign-registered jet cannot be booked today for tomorrow into Lagos. If the date may move, tell us early so the permit can be filed with room to spare.

The five airports of entry

International private flights arrive and depart through Nigeria’s five principal international airports: Lagos (Murtala Muhammed), Abuja (Nnamdi Azikiwe), Port Harcourt, Kano (Mallam Aminu Kano) and Enugu (Akanu Ibiam). Customs, immigration and health formalities are coordinated in advance, using the manifests the operator submits.

The cabotage rule

Foreign non-scheduled aircraft may not pick up passengers at one point in Nigeria and set them down at another. A jet registered abroad that brings you from London to Lagos cannot then fly you on to Abuja, even with the same passengers aboard.

Domestic legs must be flown by a Nigerian-registered aircraft whose operator holds an Air Operator Certificate. When a trip runs London to Lagos to Abuja and back, we plan it as two parts: the international legs on one aircraft, the domestic leg on a Nigerian operator’s, timed so you step from one to the other.

The terminals in Lagos and Abuja

In Lagos, private aircraft use the business aviation facilities at Murtala Muhammed, away from the scheduled terminals. The Luxaviation ExecuJet facility there has a 4,700 m² hangar able to take a Boeing Business Jet, a 25,500 m² apron with direct access to the runway, and its own customs and immigration facilities. It holds IS-BAH Stage I certification for ground handling.

In Abuja, private flights use the General Aviation Terminal at Nnamdi Azikiwe. Handling agents meet the aircraft and arrange the formalities.

At both, the departure routine is short. Arrive a little before the planned time, hand over the luggage, and clear the formalities in the terminal rather than in a public hall.

Overflight on the way

A flight between Europe and Nigeria crosses several countries, and each needs an overflight permit filed by the operator. Restrictions in some of that airspace change at short notice, and the routing can lengthen as a result. The operator plans this; we confirm the planned routing and flight time with the quote.

What sits with you

• Passports valid for the trip, and visas for every passenger who needs one, including staff.
• Passenger names, nationalities and passport numbers sent to us in good time for the manifest.
• Any changes to the passenger list as early as possible, since the permit is filed on the manifest.

The routes we fly most: Lagos to London, Abuja to London, Lagos to Dubai and, domestically, Lagos to Abuja. To check that a Nigerian operator is entitled to carry you, see how to check a charter is legal.

Good to know

Routes, empty legs and seasonal notes, as they come up: @ofluxurygroup on Instagram.