LAGOS — Turkish Airlines has unveiled plans to increase flight frequencies to Lagos and Abuja as part of a strategic five-year vision aimed at strengthening its dominance in Nigeria’s aviation market and boosting trade connectivity between Nigeria and Turkey.
The General Manager of Turkish Airlines in Nigeria, Mr. Lokman Balkan, disclosed the expansion plan at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, stating that the airline would first add more frequencies to Lagos before extending the increase to Abuja.
“Our five-year vision in Nigeria is to continue providing exceptional experiences. We aim to increase our investments in Nigeria, especially by adding more frequencies firstly to Lagos and then to Abuja,” Balkan said.
The airline, which has operated in Nigeria for nearly 20 years and marked its first destination in sub-Saharan Africa in the country, currently runs daily flights to Lagos and four weekly flights to Abuja.
Despite growing competition from Middle Eastern and European carriers, Balkan said the airline remains confident in its market leadership, citing its recent recognition as “Expatriate Airline of the Year” in Lagos as evidence of strong local trust.
As part of its growth strategy, the airline plans to deepen service localisation by incorporating Nigerian culture into its onboard offerings. This includes the introduction of four rotating monthly menus in Economy Class on Nigerian routes, featuring locally inspired dishes.
Beyond onboard meals, the carrier is promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage globally by adding Nollywood films to its inflight entertainment system and showcasing promotional videos of Nigeria to millions of international passengers.
Digitally, the airline is integrating its services into a single ecosystem to meet the expectations of modern travellers. Through its Turkish Airlines Holidays platform, passengers can manage flights, hotels and ground services in one place.
Balkan also highlighted the airline’s transit value-added programmes such as “Stopover” and “Touristanbul,” which allow passengers to convert layovers in Istanbul into tourism experiences.
On global recognition, he noted that the airline recently won “World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering” at the 2025 Skytrax Awards, reinforcing its premium service positioning.
The expansion is also expected to enhance trade ties between Nigeria and the Republic of Turkey. With a network spanning 132 countries and 356 destinations — a feat recognised by Guinness World Records — Istanbul remains a strategic gateway for Nigerian small and medium enterprises seeking global market access.
Balkan said the airline is facilitating stronger collaboration between Nigerian travel agencies and Turkish tourism boards, while also supporting bilateral trade through its dedicated cargo aircraft operating between both countries.
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He disclosed that the airline transported 92.6 million passengers in 2025, recorded 273.2 billion available seat kilometres, and achieved an 83.2 per cent load factor, underscoring its global growth trajectory.
With increased frequencies and deeper market integration, Turkish Airlines is positioning Nigeria as a key hub in its Africa expansion strategy.
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