► NIGERIA: Dana Air eyes regional flights by year end; to roll out more domestic routes.

The commercial head of Nigeria's Dana Air (9J), Mr Obi Mbanuzo, says the airline has applied to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for regional traffic rights with flights to tentatively launch before year-end.

Rendering of a Dana Air B737 (Dana air)

According to The Nation, the specific routes are to be determined according to the bilateral air services agreements Nigeria has with various countries. A planned increase in the fleet from its current five McDonnell Douglas MD-83s to seven aircraft is expected to bolster the expansion.

Dana Air has gone on record as stating it planned to add a B737-700 AND an Airbus A319 to its fleet from September onwards but was still looking to find the "best price".

Meanwhile, the Lagos-based carrier also intends to expand its domestic network to cover Uyo and Calabar and other Southern Nigerian destinations such as Enugu and Owerri, set to be rolled out "soon".