Speaking to The PUNCH, Managing Director and Accountable Manager of UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Mr. Anachuna Henry, said ticket prices for the new route have been deliberately set between N145,000 and N180,000 — nearly 60 percent cheaper than existing market rates. He stressed that the pricing is not a temporary promotional offer but part of a long-term strategy to ease the financial burden on domestic travellers, particularly those from the North Central region.
“These are not promotional tickets. This is our permanent fare structure,” Henry said. “We decided on low fares because that is who we are as an airline. Our pricing is almost 60 per cent lower than the current market rate for Ilorin.”
According to Henry, ticket sales, which opened on Monday, have already seen a surge in bookings, with passengers eager for more affordable travel options. The airline’s maiden flight on the route departed Abuja at 5 pm on Sunday. Ilorin now joins UMZA’s growing network, which includes Kano, Yola, Sokoto, Kebbi, Maiduguri, and Lagos. The airline confirmed it will deploy a G-400 XR turboprop aircraft, known for its safety and reliability.
“Our Ilorin station is fully ready — staff, equipment, office, logistics, everything,” Henry added, noting that all regulatory requirements from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority have been met.
Transport analysts suggest UMZA’s entry into the Ilorin market could relieve travellers from Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, and parts of Niger State, many of whom previously depended on a single dominant airline charging significantly higher fares. The airline’s competitive pricing may prompt other operators to review their ticket costs, breaking the longstanding monopoly on the route.
With complaints over skyrocketing airfares on the Abuja–Ilorin corridor, UMZA’s low-cost model is expected to provide passengers with a more affordable and consistent travel option without compromising safety or service quality.