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Professor Obiora Okonkwo Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines(3rd right) addressing the press.

 

 

The united Nigeria Airlines in its five years of existence, has grown from a single route vision and four narrow body aircraft to a multiple fleet of ten aircraft.

In addition, the Airline has united sixteen cities across Nigeria and now reaching it first regional destination in Ghana.

Chairman of the Airline,Prof.Obiora Okonkwo made this known in Lagos while addressing the press as part of activities to mark the 5^th anniversary of United Nigeria Airlines.

He told the press that the Airline had  carried millions of passengers safely, and in doing so, earned the trust of the Nigerian public and international partners.

According to him,the Airline became an IATA member, a recognition of its operational standards and commitment to global best practices, and IOSA certified in a record time of 2 y ears of operations, testament to its international safety standards.

.” Alongside growth, “we have built a team of dedicated aviation professionals who embody excellence, discipline, and service. These include but not limited to both cockpit and cabin crews, Engineers, dispatchers, ground officers, under graduates through our internship programmes etc. They all obtain world class training  both in Nigeria and overseas”..

Speaking further,Okonkwo noted that it had not been rosy all along without its challenges.

“”” Nigeria’s aviation environment is complex  – from covid-19 era shutdown, regulatory hurdles to infrastructure constraints, currency volatility to operational pressures. Yet, each challenge strengthened our resolve and sharpened our focus”

. This influence our  choice of theme for this celebration  “From Vision to Velocity – 5years of United growth: Charting the Next Frontiers”

The UNA Chairman indicated that the ambition  of the Airline in the next five years is clear,: to transform  from a leading national carrier into a recognized continental aviation powerhouse, with strategic regional, continental, and eventually intercontinental routes..

This roadmap is anchored on three pillars:

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1. Excellence in Passenger Experience – We will continue to invest in modern air

craft, innovative inflight services, and customer-focused digital solutions.

2. Sustainable Growth & Partnerships – Expanding our network responsibly, leveraging

strategic alliances, and growing our cargo and ancillary services.

3. Impact Beyond Aviation – Supporting communities, nurturing talent, and giving

back through initiatives that extend beyond the airport and the skies.

Announcements

Today, I am thrilled to present three major initiatives amongst others that bring these pillars to life:

1. HARMONY – Our Inflight Magazine

HARMONY is more than a magazine. It is a reflection of our passengers, our culture , and our commitment to keeping travelers informed and inspired. Through HARMONY, we aim to celebrate the people, destinations, and stories that make flying with United Nigeria Airlines a unique experience.

2. Unity Rewards – Our Loyalty Programme

Loyalty is at the heart of our passenger experience. Unity Rewards is designed to reward frequent travelers, provide exclusive benefits, and strengthen the connection between our airline and our valued customers. This is our way of saying : we see you, we value you, and we celebrate your journeys with us.

3. UNA Foundation

United Nigeria Airlines is more than a business – it is a force for positive impact.. Through the UNA Foundation, we will support education, healthcare, aviation  training, and community development programs across Nigeria. Our foundation embodies our belief that success is meaningful only when it uplifts society as a whole.

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4. Additional Regional and Continental Routes

We plan to start additional 6 regional and continental routes on or before the 2nd quarter of 2026. These routes include but not limited to Dakar, Monrovia, Johannesburg  etc.

5. Intercontinental Routes

Plans are in advance stage to commence international flights to Gulf states, Europe  and America by summer 2026 everything being equal. These destinations  include, Dubai, Jeddah, Rome, New York, UK etc.

6. Fleet Expansion
7. MRO

To add to our existing 10 Aircraft in our Opspec as at today, we have acquired six numbers of 737-800 NG from Southwest Aviation and finalising negotiation  for additional 3 numbers of the same aircraft type all scheduled to be delivered  before the end of 2nd quarter, starting from March 2026 when we take deli very of the first two aircraft

. We had also leased 2 numbers A330-200 wide b ody aircraft to support our intemational operations from Anka Aviation Turkey, to be delivered between July and October 2026 with first delivery on 26th of Jul y, amongst other aircraft acquisition negotiations that deliveries may mature b eyond 2026.

We have migrated from equivalent maintenance systems to AMO as a prelude to our MRO within the next 3 years.

8. New Corporate Office 

We plan to move to our new corporate office in Ikoyi Lagos within the year 202 6.

9. Gratitude 

We remain enternally grateful to God almighty who in His mercy and kindness  has given us the grace to overcome all odds to be where we are today, and our  passengers who have been very loyal and committed to our services despite our short comings, the entire board members, management and staff of United Ngeriai  Airlines led-by the engine house, Mazi Osita Okonkwo ED/COO, who had become co-owners of the UNA vision and work tirelessly for the actualization.

 

 

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