About Umza Air
Umza Aviation Services Limited is an indigenous Nigerian carrier, headquartered in Abuja and backed by the Umza Group — connecting the north with the coast, and Nigeria with the wider world.
Umza Aviation Services Limited, operating as Umza Air, was incorporated in June 2020 with a clear vision: to transform both international and regional air travel across Nigeria and, in time, the African continent. We fly a fleet of modern Dash 8 Q400 turboprops from our Abuja hub, and each year we airlift thousands of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The airline obtained its Air Transport Licence on 6 July 2022 and, following further certification by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, was awarded its own Air Operator Certificate in November 2024. With those regulatory milestones behind us, Umza Air commenced domestic operations in December 2024 as a forward-thinking, indigenous carrier committed to reliability, safety and passenger comfort.
Backed by the Umza Group — a diversified Nigerian conglomerate with decades of success in agribusiness, logistics and infrastructure — Umza Air was conceived to meet the growing demand for safe, efficient and customer-focused air transport, especially across the underserved northern and central regions.
Headquartered in Abuja, we launched with a fleet of Dash 8 Q400 turboprops — renowned for their performance on short-haul sectors and remote airfields — and maiden routes connecting Abuja to Maiduguri, Kano, Yola, Birnin Kebbi, Sokoto and Lagos, positioning Umza Air as a vital connector across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Since inception we have prioritised local employment, passenger satisfaction and operational excellence as the core pillars of our growth strategy. We have also been active in international markets and Hajj operations since 2022 through partnerships with other airlines — collaborations that built a strong operational foundation and customer base ahead of securing our own AOC.
From incorporation to our first independent pilgrimage airlift.
Registered in Nigeria with a clear vision: to transform international and regional air travel across the country and, in time, the African continent.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority licensed Umza to operate scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo air services within and outside Nigeria.
Working with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and accredited tour operators, Umza began airlifting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia alongside partner airlines — building an operational base and customer following ahead of certification.
After further certification by the NCAA, Umza received its own AOC for scheduled operations under Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations Part 9.
Umza launched with a fleet of Dash 8 Q400 turboprops from its Abuja hub, with maiden routes connecting Abuja to Maiduguri, Kano, Yola, Birnin Kebbi, Sokoto and Lagos.
Holding its own AOC, Umza independently airlifted over 13,000 pilgrims from states across Nigeria and returned them home on schedule, using wet-leased Boeing 747-400 and 777-200 aircraft.
To be an outstanding airline providing a wide range of air services globally, to enhance business, leisure and tourism.
To focus on our customers’ satisfaction by flying efficiently and on time, and by maintaining safety practices that get every customer from one destination to the next.
Certified crews, approved procedures and a maintained fleet under continuous NCAA oversight. Nothing is traded against it.
Flying efficiently and on time is the standard the airline sets itself — it is written into our mission, not bolted on.
Nigerian crews, engineers and ground teams. Prioritising local employment has been a pillar of our growth strategy since inception.
Modern, customer-focused travel tailored to business and leisure passengers alike, from booking to baggage reclaim.
A broad and evolving range of air transport solutions for domestic travellers, government agencies, private institutions and international partners.
Regular commercial flights connecting major cities and underserved regions across Nigeria, operated with Dash 8 Q400 aircraft optimised for short-haul and regional sectors.
Customised charters built around flexibility, exclusivity and a schedule that answers to you rather than a timetable.
Since 2022 Umza has worked with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and accredited tour operators to airlift pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia — and in 2025 did so independently on its own AOC.
Our next growth phase extends operations beyond Nigeria, adding regional and long-haul flights from our Abuja base.
Our scheduled network runs on the Dash 8 Q400. Wide-body capacity for pilgrimage and large group charters is wet-leased in for the season.
Regional turboprop
A next-generation turboprop built for short to medium-haul regional operations. It pairs the economics of a turboprop with jet-like speed, and handles short and remote airfields that jets cannot — which makes it the right aircraft for the Nigerian domestic network.
| Manufacturer | De Havilland Aircraft of Canada |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW150A |
| Cruise speed | 667 km/h (360 knots) |
| Range | Approx. 2,500 km (1,550 miles) |
| Maximum take-off weight | 29,257 kg |
| Wingspan | 28.4 m |
| Length | 32.8 m |
| Height | 8.4 m |
| Cabin features | Large overhead bins, quick boarding |
A board and management with decades of Nigerian aviation, engineering, legal and financial experience — meet the people leading each part of the operation.
Chairman
Founder of the Umza Group and a prominent Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Maifata chairs Umza Aviation Services and brings decades of leadership experience to the airline. He is known for a hands-on style, an insistence on local content development, and a conviction that private enterprise should advance national development.
Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Maifata is a prominent Nigerian businessman, visionary entrepreneur, and the Founder of Umza Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in agriculture, logistics, trading, and aviation. He is widely recognised for his strategic foresight, integrity, and deep commitment to national development through private enterprise.
As the Chairman of Umza Aviation Services Limited (Umza Air), Alhaji Maifata brings decades of leadership experience and an unwavering passion for enhancing air connectivity across Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
He is known for his hands-on leadership style, emphasis on local content development, and unwavering belief in service excellence. He is also a strong advocate of public–private partnerships to advance national infrastructure and economic growth.
Beyond business, he is a respected philanthropist and community leader, actively supporting education, healthcare, and youth empowerment initiatives, especially in Northern Nigeria.
Managing Director
Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
A corporate lawyer and executive who spent over fifteen years as Group Company Secretary of the Umza Group before taking the airline’s helm. He leads Umza Air’s operational growth and expansion in Nigeria’s aviation industry, with corporate governance and regulatory compliance as his native ground.
Barr. Anachuna Henry Izu, Esq. is a seasoned legal practitioner and corporate executive specialising in corporate law and governance. He obtained his law degree from the University of Calabar and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He served as the Group Company Secretary of Umza Group for over fifteen years, where he played a key role in strengthening corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic business administration across the Group’s operations. His tenure was marked by professionalism, leadership, and a strong commitment to organisational growth.
Following his impactful service within the Group, he was appointed Managing Director of Umza Aviation Services Limited, where he currently leads the company’s operational growth and expansion within Nigeria’s aviation industry. Under his leadership, Umza Air has continued to strengthen its market presence through improved connectivity, service delivery, and operational development.
Director, Flight Operations
ATPL · TRI/TRE (B737-200)
A veteran airline captain with over 38 years in commercial aviation and more than 20,700 flying hours, including 10,000+ on jets. He has been Director of Operations, Chief Pilot and Safety Captain at Nigerian carriers, and pairs deep technical expertise with a passion for mentoring the next generation of pilots.
Capt. Nuhu Zom Maigida is a seasoned aviation professional and veteran airline captain with over 38 years of experience in commercial aviation, flight operations, pilot training, and airline leadership. With a total flying time exceeding 20,700 hours — including over 10,000 hours on jet aircraft and 2,500+ hours on the Boeing 737-200 — he is widely respected within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He has held key leadership positions including Director of Operations at Westlink Airlines and Africa Contracts & Equipment Ltd, as well as Chief Pilot, Safety Captain, and TRI/TRE (B737-200) at established airlines such as Chanchangi Airlines and Dana Limited. His extensive training includes type ratings and instructional certifications from leading aviation institutes in the USA, Brazil, Belgium, and Nigeria, including NCAT Zaria, IASCO California, and CAE Dallas.
Capt. Maigida combines deep technical expertise with strong safety management principles and a passion for mentoring the next generation of pilots. Fluent in English, Hausa, and Jaba, he is an advocate of continuous learning, aviation safety, and operational excellence.
The board and post-holders accountable for every Umza flight.
Learn moreThe Dash 8 Q400 and the wide-bodies we wet-lease, with full specifications.
Learn moreOur AOC, Air Transport Licence and the framework we fly under.
Learn moreScheduled flights, charter, Hajj & Umrah and our international plans.
Learn moreHow we airlift Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and home again.
Learn moreHow we track punctuality, reliability and safety — in the open.
Learn moreReal routes, sample fares, and a boarding pass on your phone.
