The Lagos–Toronto air route has emerged as Nigeria’s busiest long-haul connection, reflecting a surge in passenger demand between the West African nation and Canada.
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates that traffic on the Lagos–Toronto route grew by 28% between 2023 and 2024, outpacing other major routes such as Lagos–New York, which recorded a 19% increase over the same period. Routes to Manchester and other European destinations also showed notable growth.
Dr. Samson Fatokun, IATA’s Area Manager for West and Central Africa, emphasized the commercial potential of Nigeria’s long-haul routes, noting that several remain underserved despite rising demand. He stressed the importance of strategic route development, recommending that airports leverage origin-destination traffic data to identify profitable international connections.
“While Nigeria has seen a proliferation of new airports, including concessioned and state-owned facilities, many may struggle financially if they do not anchor operations on high-demand routes,” Fatokun said.
Supporting these findings, a recent Airbus study highlighted the Lagos–Toronto pairing as a high-potential market, suggesting that sufficient demand exists to support non-stop flights using wide-body aircraft such as the A330 or A350.
The growth of the Lagos–Toronto corridor underscores shifting travel patterns, with increasing numbers of Canadians and Nigerians traveling between the two countries. For airlines and airports, this represents both an opportunity and a challenge: the potential for profitable expansion exists, but careful planning is crucial to ensure sustainable operations. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
