United Nigeria Airlines Marks Five Years, Records 2.5 Million Passengers, Adds Six B737-800s
United Nigeria Airlines which made its very first flight from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to Akanu-Ibiam Airport, Enugu on February 12, 2021, says it has carried about 2.5 million passengers within five years and has just acquired six B737 – 800NGs from Southwest Aviation, while currently finalizing negotiations for additional three numbers of the same aircraft type all scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2nd quarter, starting from March 2026 when it takes delivery of the first two aircraft.
Speaking in a world press conference held today to mark the fifth anniversary, celebrated under the theme, “From Vision To Velocity – 5 Years of United Growth: Charting The Next Frontiers,” Chairman of the airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo said: “We had also leased two numbers A330 – 200 wide body aircraft to support our international operations from Anka Aviation Turkey, to be delivered between July and October 2026 with first delivery on 26th of July, amongst other aircraft acquisition negotiations that deliveries may mature beyond 2026.”
He said the airline plans to start additional six regional and continental routes on or before the 2nd quarter of 2026, including Dakar, Monrovia and Johannesburg and plans to commence international flights to Gulf states, Europe and America by summer 2026 everything being equal, including Dubai, Jeddah, Rome, New York and UK.
He also said “we have migrated from equivalent maintenance systems to AMO as a prelude to our MRO within the next three years.” The airline secured IOSA certification within the first two years of operation.
The airline which intends to move to its corporate office in Ikoyi in 2026 has moved from 250 staff of 2021 to close to 1,000 staff in 2026.
“In five short years, we have grown from a single route vision and 4 narrow body aircraft to a multiple fleet of 10 aircraft, uniting 16 cities across Nigeria and now reaching our first regional destination in Ghana. We have carried millions of passengers safely, and in doing so, earned the trust of the Nigerian public and international partners. We became an IATA member, a recognition of our operational standards and commitment to global best practices, and IOSA certified in a record time of 2 years of operations, testament to our 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.
This journey was not 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,” said Okonkwo.
Unfolding the company’s roadmap for the next five years, he said the ambition is “to transform United Nigeria Airlines 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.” They are excellence in passenger experience, sustainable growth and partnerships, as well as impact beyond aviation featuring “supporting communities, nurturing talent, and giving back through initiatives that extend beyond the airport and the skies.”
The celebration also featured announcement of three major initiatives amongst others that bring the pillars to life. They are the launch of Harmony Magazine, the airline’s In-flight Magazine, Unity Rewards, its Loyalty Programme and UNA Foundation, through which the airline “will support education, healthcare, aviation training, and community development programmes across Nigeria.”
Okonkwo expressed gratitude to the airline’s passengers who have been very loyal and committed to its services despite short comings, the entire board members, management and staff of United Nigeria Airlines led-by the engine house, Mazi Osita Okonkwo ED/COO, OEM partners, Barr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air peace Airlines, financial partners like Zenith Bank Plc, Bank of Industry and Afriexim Bank.
He also thanked other aviation agencies like FAAN and NAMA, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) ably lead by The Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo for his consistent tradition of uncompromising professionalism in regulation and ease of doing business in Nigerian Aviation.
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