CTN FlightWatch: Week 31 – Sallah Travel Rush + Arik Air’s New Domestic Routes + Airport Iftar Specials

Column summary intro:
Welcome to CTN FlightWatch, your weekly snapshot of the skies — covering global travel tips, domestic Nigerian routes, African connections, and local airport specials. Each Monday we break down the best days to fly, routes seeing price swings, and airport hacks so you travel smarter. This week (Week 31): Sallah preparations drive passenger surge, Arik Air expands domestic network, and airports roll out Iftar specials for fasting travellers. Here’s what you need to know before you book.

Best days to fly this week (least delays + lowest fares)

· Tuesday, July 31 – Pre-Sallah calm (best fares of the week)
· Wednesday, August 1 – Morning flights only (afternoon congestion builds)
· Thursday, August 2 – Sallah weekend begins – expect full planes
· Sunday, August 5 – Post-holiday return surge (book early)

Global routes – fare drops

· Johannesburg (JNB) → Accra (ACC) – down 15% (South African Airways promo)
· London (LHR) → Abuja (ABV) – down 10% (British Airways seat sale)
· Dubai (DXB) → Lagos (LOS) – down 12% (Emirates August promo)

Global routes – full planes (expect crowds)

· Dubai (DXB) → Lagos (LOS) – Emirates heavy (summer peak continues)
· New York (JFK) → Accra (ACC) – Delta fully booked (US summer travel)
· Johannesburg (JNB) → Lagos (LOS) – South African Airways overselling

Nigerian domestic routes – Sallah surge alert

· Lagos (LOS) → Abuja (ABV) – ₦69,000–₦79,000 (book 48hrs ahead for weekend travel)
· Lagos (LOS) → Kano (KAN) – Sallah travel peak – flights 90%+ full from Wednesday
· Lagos (LOS) → Benin City (BNI) – Political/family travel surge – book early
· Abuja (ABV) → Kano (KAN) – Returning travellers – limited seats available

Nigerian domestic routes – fare updates

· Lagos (LOS) → Abuja (ABV) – ₦69,000 (Green Africa – best value)
· Lagos (LOS) → Port Harcourt (PHC) – ₦50,000 (ValueJet)
· Lagos (LOS) → Enugu (ENU) – ₦55,000 (Arik Air)
· Lagos (LOS) → Asaba – ₦65,000 (Arik Air – new Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday service)
· Lagos (LOS) → Benin City – ₦68,000 (Arik Air – daily service)

Domestic airlines – schedule changes for Week 31

· Arik Air expands domestic network – New routes to Asaba (Tue/Thu/Sat) and Benin City (daily). Added frequencies on Lagos–Port Harcourt (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat).
· Air Peace: Added extra flights LOS–KAN for Sallah – book early
· Green Africa: Holding ₦69,000 LOS–ABV – free rescheduling extended
· United Nigeria Airlines: ₦72,000 + free 30kg – daily Lagos–Abuja schedule
· Ibom Air: Still ₦85,000 ABV–PHC – 97% on-time (Nigeria’s most reliable)
· Dana Air: Saturday buy-1-get-1 ends July 31 – LAST CHANCE (code DANA30)
· ValueJet: Added 3rd daily LOS–PHC (10:35am, 1:55pm, 5:30pm)
· Max Air: Lagos–Kano daily at 4:20pm – Sallah week special

African regional routes – highlights

· Lagos (LOS) → Accra (ACC) – Arik Air daily – ₦120,000 introductory ends Sunday
· Lagos (LOS) → Johannesburg (JNB) – Arik Air and SAA competing – from $530 round-trip
· Lagos (LOS) → London (LHR) – Arik Air international service
· Lagos (LOS) → New York (JFK) – Arik Air wide-body service

Airport delay forecast (by region)

· West Africa: Lagos & Abuja – Sallah crowds expected Thu–Sun (arrive 3hrs early)
· Southeast US: Atlanta & Miami moderate delays (summer storms)
· Europe: London & Paris heavy delays Fri–Sat (holiday traffic)
· East Africa: Nairobi clear – dry season continues

Nigerian airports – specials & advisories

· Murtala Muhammed Airport (LOS) – CTN Fast Lane at Gate B active. SALLAH SPECIAL: Free prayer rooms with ablution facilities (Domestic Terminal 2 – 24hrs). Sponsored by FAAN.
· Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (ABV) – SALLAH SPECIAL: Extended prayer areas (Terminal 1 and 2). Volunteers available for guidance.
· Port Harcourt International (PHC) – Free spa Wednesdays continue – book early
· Kano Airport (KAN) – Sallah rush expected (arrive 3hrs early for domestic flights)

Pro tip of the week
With Sallah just days away, Kano and Lagos–Kano routes are filling fast. Book by Tuesday evening to secure seats. If you’re flexible, travel on Tuesday or Wednesday morning – flights are 30% cheaper than Thursday–Sunday. For families, United Nigeria’s free 30kg luggage is the best deal. For value, Green Africa’s ₦69,000 Lagos–Abuja remains the market leader. CTN recommends checking all carriers before booking – prices change hourly during Sallah week.