Pan African Airlines Nigeria Ltd is a longstanding Nigerian aviation operator that has carved out an important niche providing helicopter and fixed-wing air transport services, particularly to the oil and gas sector. Founded in April 1961, the airline has operated safely for many decades, establishing a reputation especially in offshore support.
The company is headquartered at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, where its facilities include a fully equipped maintenance hangar and dedicated training infrastructure.
PAAN operates both helicopters (rotary-wing) and fixed-wing aircraft. Its helicopter fleet has included models such as the Bell 412, Bell 407, and Bell 206, which are used in offshore oil-field transport, medevac operations, and charter/etc.
Over the years, PAAN has managed to maintain its safety credentials despite operating in a challenging and high-risk environment.
In 2011, in compliance with local content laws and recapitalization, the Bristow Group transferred its shares in PAAN to Nigerian ownership, further emphasizing the airline’s status as a truly indigenous provider of aviation services to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Pan African Airlines has also invested in infrastructure supporting its operations, including VIP and offshore personnel terminals at Lagos and Port Harcourt, maintenance and training facilities, and bases closer to customer operations like Warri and Escravos.
