Turkish Airlines is doubling down on its commitment to the Nigerian market. During a press session in Lagos on Monday, Lokman Balkan, General Manager for Nigeria, unveiled a five-year vision centered on “service localization” and increased capacity.
With nearly 20 years of operations in Nigeria—its first sub-Saharan destination—the airline is positioning itself to remain the preferred carrier for both expatriates and local entrepreneurs despite intensifying competition from Middle Eastern and European rivals.
1. 2026 Expansion: More Flights, More Connectivity
Turkish Airlines is moving from a recovery phase to an aggressive growth phase in Nigeria.
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Increased Frequency: The airline plans to add more flights, prioritizing Lagos first, followed by Abuja. Currently, it operates daily flights to Lagos and four weekly flights to Abuja.
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SME Gateway: Leveraging its record-breaking network of 356 destinations across 132 countries, the airline is marketing Istanbul as the primary global hub for Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
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Transit Perks: The “Stopover” and “Touristanbul” programs allow Nigerian travelers to turn layovers into mini-vacations in Turkey without needing a transit visa.
2. “Service Localization”: Nigerian Flavors in the Sky
To stay ahead of competitors, Turkish Airlines is integrating Nigerian culture directly into its service delivery.
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Rotating Menus: In Economy Class, the airline has introduced four rotating monthly menus featuring locally inspired Nigerian dishes.
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Nollywood Integration: The Inflight Entertainment (IFE) system now features Nollywood films, aimed at sparking global curiosity about Nigerian culture while making local passengers feel at home.
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Heritage Promotion: Promotional videos of Nigeria’s natural and cultural heritage are being broadcast to millions of global passengers on the airline’s network.
3. Performance Milestones (2025 Data)
The airline’s 2025 performance data, released in early 2026, reflects a robust appetite for international travel.
4. Digital-First Passenger Ecosystem
Balkan highlighted the Turkish Airlines Holidays platform as a core part of their digital transformation. The platform allows modern, “digital-first” travelers to manage their entire itinerary—flights, hotels, and ground transfers—within a single ecosystem.
“Winning ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ at Skytrax 2025 demonstrates our commitment. In Nigeria, we are not just selling tickets; we are building a bilateral trade corridor and promoting local tourism to the world.” — Lokman Balkan, GM Turkish Airlines Nigeria.
