Virgin Nigeria, the new, fully private sector flag carrier for Nigeria, has announced the launch of regional and domestic operations from its hub at the Lagos Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

According to the airline domestic flights start on Wednesday while flights from Lagos to Accra will commence on the 20th of next month.

The airline has already announced that its maiden route from Lagos to London Heathrow will commence tomorrow.

Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Nigeria, Simon Harford, says its market research showed strong customer demand for the early commencement of the Accra, Abuja and Port Harcourt routes.

The airline will operate the short-haul routes with modern Airbus A320 aircraft.

It says its service, which it describes as of unrivalled quality, will include a unique business class, which offers a 30Kg baggage allowance.

Officials say the airline intends to operate about 9 international routes within 9 months and its finalizing plans for additional short-haul and long-haul routes to be announced in a few weeks' time.