Nigeria
Trip Support
NCAA overflight and landing permits, the 72-hour lead time and the weekend gap, the documents that stop a permit, Lagos slots and contract fuel, Abuja, domestic legs and the West African routings, from the desk that files the Lagos trips.
From the Icarus Jet trip support desk · Built from the desk's Nigeria permit and handling records · Last updated 22 October 2026
The working reference
How Nigeria works for a private flight
Nigeria is a permit country first. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issues both the overflight and the landing permit, and the desk plans on 72 hours for each, although a landing permit often comes back in about 24. The NCAA office is closed at weekends and on public holidays, so a Monday arrival is filed by Thursday. Charter and private flights are filed differently, so the first question on any Nigeria trip is whether the aircraft flies under an AOC or privately. Most refusals and delays come from incomplete documents, which is why the desk sends the full set on the first request: certificates of airworthiness and registration, noise and insurance certificates, the general declaration, crew licences and the AOC where it applies. An overflight permit holds for about 48 hours from the planned time and a landing permit for 24, so a slipping schedule means an amendment, not a hope. Lagos (DNMM) runs 24 hours with slots from the airport authority and mandatory handling; night operations need the airport's approval; Jet A-1 has been available on contract fuel. Abuja (DNAA) serves the capital. A foreign aircraft can fly a domestic leg when that routing is on the approved permit. Leaving Lagos, a flight to Nairobi crosses five states' airspace and even Abidjan needs three overflight permits. The desk files the NCAA permits with a complete document set, books the Lagos slot with the handler, and confirms the fuel release before the aircraft moves.
Overflight
Overflight permits
Issued by the NCAA. Plan on 72 hours; the office is closed at weekends and on public holidays. The permit holds for about 48 hours from the planned time. Documents: certificates of airworthiness, registration, noise and insurance, the general declaration, crew licences and the AOC where it applies. The desk files through a regional permit agent, and charter and private flights are filed differently.
Landing
Landing permits
Also from the NCAA, on the same documents. Plan on 72 hours; the fastest the desk usually sees is about 24. The permit is valid for 24 hours, and the authority may ask for a local contact person, normally provided by the client. No purpose-of-flight or invitation letter has been required. Incomplete paperwork is the usual cause of a refusal or delay.
Lagos
Lagos, Murtala Muhammed (DNMM)
Open 24 hours, with night operations allowed when the airport approves them. Slots are required and issued by the airport authority, and handling is mandatory, so the desk books both with the handler. Jet A-1 has been available on contract fuel; the release is confirmed before departure.
Domestic legs
Abuja and domestic legs
Abuja, Nnamdi Azikiwe (DNAA), serves the capital. A foreign-registered aircraft can fly a domestic leg with passengers, Lagos to Abuja for example, as long as that routing is on the approved permit, so the whole itinerary goes on the first request.
Paperwork
Crew, documents and charges
The general declaration is checked on arrival and the authorities can run random document checks, so the aircraft and crew papers stay on board. Crew duty limits are the operator's own; English works with the authority, the handler and the tower. Navigation, overflight, landing and parking charges are billed through the handler.
Routing
Routing and alternates
A Lagos to Nairobi flight needs overflight permits from Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the DRC, the Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and Lagos to Abidjan needs Benin, Togo and Ghana. Alternates are the nearest international airport to the destination, so the passengers can still clear customs if the flight diverts.
Guides and updates
Nigeria articles from the desk
The detailed pieces behind this page, newest first, each with the year it was written and the discipline it belongs to.
Last-Minute Overflight Permits in Africa: When the Route Changes Before Departure
A Lagos itinerary rebuilt with under 24 hours to go, and a Libyan overflight permit that arrived 85 minutes after the planned departure time.
Read the guide2026Permits and overflightIn Africa, every country is its own operation: Flying private jets across the continent
Permit chains, 72-hour lead times, handling, fuel and schedule changes from recent flights out of Lagos.
Read the guideMore Country References
Trip support beyond Nigeria
Three more country references, written by the same desk that files the permits.
Questions
Nigeria trip support questions
Who issues private jet permits in Nigeria?
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issues both the overflight permit and the landing permit. The desk files them through a regional permit agent with the full document set.
How far ahead should a Nigeria permit be filed?
Plan on 72 hours for both overflight and landing. A landing permit often comes back in about 24 hours, but the NCAA office is closed at weekends and on public holidays, so a Monday arrival is filed by Thursday.
How long is a Nigerian permit valid?
An overflight permit holds for about 48 hours from the planned time and a landing permit for 24 hours. A schedule that slips past that window needs an amendment.
What documents does a Nigeria permit need?
Certificates of airworthiness and registration, the noise and insurance certificates, the general declaration, crew licences and the AOC where the flight is commercial. Missing documents are the most common reason for a refusal or delay.
Is a charter flight filed differently from a private flight?
Yes. The NCAA treats commercial and private flights differently, so the desk confirms whether the aircraft operates under an AOC before it files.
Does Nigeria require a local sponsor or invitation letter?
No invitation or purpose-of-flight letter has been required. For a landing permit the authority may ask for a local contact person, which the client normally provides.
Does Lagos need a slot?
Yes. Lagos Murtala Muhammed (DNMM) requires slots from the airport authority and handling is mandatory. The airport runs 24 hours and night operations are allowed with the airport's approval.
Is jet fuel available in Lagos?
Jet A-1 has been available at Lagos on contract fuel. The desk confirms the fuel release before departure rather than on the ramp.
Can a foreign-registered jet fly Lagos to Abuja?
Yes, with passengers, when that domestic routing is on the approved permit. The desk puts the full itinerary on the first request.
What does the desk need to file a Nigeria trip?
The aircraft documents, crew licences and passenger details, whether the flight is private or under an AOC, a local contact if the client has one, and the stops and dates at least 72 working hours out. It comes back with both NCAA permits filed, the Lagos slot booked and the fuel release confirmed.
Get it filed
Flying into Nigeria? Filed from the desk
Send the dates, the aircraft and the stops 72 working hours out. You get both NCAA permits filed on a complete document set, the Lagos slot and handling booked, the fuel release confirmed, and a number you can hold us to.
Contact UsPrefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email tripsupport@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.