By Omololu Olumuyiwa
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving domestic airline has commenced three weekly flights from Lagos, Nigeria to Banjul capital city of the Gambia. This new service will boost regional trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and Gambia.
The new Lagos-Banjul route aligns with AfCFTA’s goal of creating 13 million jobs across the continent by facilitating trade and tourism. Overland Airways aims to attract both tourists and entrepreneurs to The Gambia, capitalizing on the nation’s reputation for stunning beaches and exceptional hospitality.
By connecting key cities in West Africa and increasing flight frequencies, Overland Airways is setting the stage for broader economic opportunities and a more integrated Africa
Overland Airways flights to Banjul will depart the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by 2pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to land in Banjul International Airport by 5:30pm, while the return flights will depart Banjul by 6:20pm.
This new flight offers the shortest travel time between Lagos and Banjul, connecting through Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Speaking on the new flight, Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, said, “The launch of our Lagos to Banjul flight is yet another important milestone in Overland Airways’ vision to enhance regional connectivity and contribute to the economic growth of West Africa. This new service builds on our recent launch of Lagos to Freetown flights and continues Overland Airways’ commitment to making travel within the continent more accessible and efficient.”
On the new Lagos-Freetown-Lagos flights, it would be departing from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with a scheduled departure time of 2:00 PM to accommodate travellers from Abuja and other Nigerian cities to connect the flight to Banjul International Airport.
Speaking during the reception of the Overland Airways team at the Banjul International Airport, the Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ebrima Sillah, said the Gambian government has granted Overland Airways fifth freedom rights to enhance regional air connectivity and foster economic growth.
The fifth freedom right will enable the airline to operate flights between two foreign countries while originating from their home base and this will enhance the optimisation of the airline’s operations, expand networks, and serve underserved routes.
The minister said The Gambia granted fifth freedom right to Overland Airways because of its commitment to regional integration and the vision of SAATM and the country’s plan to deepen its tourism market.
He said this is with the hope that Overland Airways will bring tourists and entrepreneurs to the West Africa nation to enjoy its beaches and top hospitality offered by the many resorts and hotels located along the beautiful beaches of The Gambia.
“The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure believes that establishing direct air links between Lagos and Banjul will greatly benefit the two sister countries, as it will enable greater movement of our people, which will lead to wider economic benefits and prosperity.
“Therefore, I wish to assure you of my ministry’s commitment to provide all necessary support to the airline and all those that are interested in establishing their industries in the Gambia, in the form of incentives, granting of rights and auto routes, as well as designation where necessary,” he said .
In his speech, the Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, who is SAATM Ambassador for West and Central Africa, said: “Overland Airways is very pleased to be here today.
“Today, Overland Airways presents itself under the African Union, the African Civil Aviation Commission, Single Air Transport Market programme, which is a programme designed to open the skies of Africa and raise the integration of African states.
“Air travel is currently, I would say, confined to the well-to-do. But we are trying to make air transport affordable and available for everybody so that the African continent can progress in economy, in trade, and in the integration of people. Our flight from Lagos to Banjul takes three hours, 30 minutes,” Boyo said.
Overland Airways which a few days ago also launched a flight to Freetown, Sierra Leone would connect Lagos to Banjul via Freetown and intends to increase the frequency of the flights to these routes in near future.
