Abuja (Nigeria) ↔ Douala (Cameroon)

Abuja (Nigeria) ↔ Douala (Cameroon)

Route Status: Underserved
Route Type: Intra-African international
Region: West–Central Africa

1. Demand & Passenger Traffic

• Current demand (2024): ~64,000 passengers/year
  
  

• Past demand (2022): ~61,000 passengers
  
  

• Forecast demand (2026): ~67,200 passengers
  
  

• Annual growth rate: ~2.5% CAGR
  
  

• Main traveler types: Business travelers, diplomatic staff, traders, construction and infrastructure teams
  
  

• Top O&D substitute cities: Addis Ababa, Accra, Paris
  
  

• Total travel time saved with direct flight: 6–9 hours per trip
  
  

• Average ticket cost (2024): $750–$1,100 round trip
  
  

2. Revenue Projections

• Estimated average yield: ~$117 per passenger
  
  

• Estimated annual route revenue: ~$7.5 million
  
  

• Potential net revenue after ops costs: ~$2–3.1 million
  
  

• Pricing advantage: Eliminates premium on multi-leg flights
  
  

• Seat load target: 61%+ breakeven with narrow-body aircraft
  
  

3. Economic Justification

• Nigeria GDP growth: 2.9%
  
  

• Cameroon GDP growth: 3.7%
  
  

• Abuja: Policy and investment capital with growing air travel demand
  
  

• Douala: Cameroon’s largest city and port with active regional trade
  
  

• Frequent construction, telecom, and agro-import traffic between cities
  
  

4. Aircraft & Operational Details

• Aircraft types: A220-300, Embraer E195-E2, Boeing 737-800
  
  

• Flight time (direct): ~1hr 50min
  
  

• Range: Within all aircraft capabilities listed
  
  

• Runway length: Sufficient for narrow-body operations at both airports
  
  

5. Proposed Launch Strategy

• Initial frequency: 3x weekly
  
  

• Scaling target: 5x weekly by year two
  
  

• Ideal timing: Midday departure from Abuja, late afternoon return from Douala
  
  

• Feeder network: Abuja links to northern Nigeria and ECOWAS; Douala to Yaoundé and Central African region
  
  

6. Strategic Value

• Trade boost between Nigeria and Cameroon
  
  

• Faster links for agriculture and construction logistics
  
  

• Supports ECOWAS and CEMAC regional transport integration
  
  

• Strengthens economic coordination between neighboring powers
  
  

7. Recommended Airlines

• Air Peace
  
  

• ASKY Airlines
  
  

• Camair-Co
  
  

• Africa World Airlines