In a move set to redefine Nigeria’s presence in global aviation, United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has officially joined the Global Distribution System (GDS) of Sabre Corporation, a leading travel technology company.
This milestone positions UNA as the first Nigerian airline to integrate with the Sabre GDS, opening access to over 50,000 travel agencies across more than 200 countries.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the airline’s Lagos office, attended by executives from Sabre Corporation, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), and officials of United Nigeria Airlines.
UNA’s Chairman, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, described the partnership as a strategic leap towards the airline’s long-term vision of becoming a global player.
He also unveiled the airline’s ambitious fleet expansion plan to support the new phase of growth. “This is the first Nigerian airline on GDS. We are the first to go global. Even though this plan was delayed, it has always been part of our objective,” Okonkwo said. “With over 50,000 agencies on the Sabre network covering more than 200 countries, we must increase our capacity. By this time next year, we will have acquired more aircraft some through outright purchase and others by lease.”
He revealed that the airline will acquire four wide-bodied aircraft by November 2025 and add six Boeing 737-800 aircraft by February 2026. These additions will significantly boost UNA’s capacity for regional and intercontinental routes.
Highlighting the airline’s regional ambitions, Okonkwo announced that United Nigeria Airlines will launch its first regional flight to Accra on August 25, 2025. “It has been very challenging, but we are not giving up. We are determined to offer Nigerians the best travel experience possible,” he stated.
Vice President of Sales and Strategy for Sabre Corporation, Olayiwola Dare, said the integration would give UNA massive global visibility and access to large corporate travel buyers. “Sabre has a marketplace that spans more than 200 countries with over 50,000 travel agencies, including corporate clients like Shell, Chevron, and Total,” Dare noted. “United Nigeria Airlines will now be accessible to these clients, no matter where they are in the world.”
The agreement marks United Nigeria Airlines’ first collaboration with a global distribution technology provider, enabling its products and services to be booked seamlessly by travel agents around the world through Sabre’s global platform.
Mazi Osita Okonkwo, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, said the deal is a landmark in the airline’s growth story. “Choosing Sabre marks a significant milestone in our journey. For the first time, we are making our product available through a global travel marketplace,” he said.
“This agreement supports our growth strategy, enhances our visibility, and enables travel agents globally to shop and book our fares. We look forward to welcoming more travelers through this new partnership.”
Alessandro Ciancimino, Vice President, Airline Distribution for EMEA at Sabre, said the partnership aligns with Sabre’s mission to support airlines of all sizes to scale efficiently. “We’re proud to support United Nigeria Airlines as they expand their reach. This agreement increases access to content for travel agents globally and opens up new opportunities for revenue and growth,” Ciancimino said.
The partnership also provides UNA with advanced tools to improve its revenue management, distribution strategy, and customer engagement globally.
President of Sabre Central and West Africa, Mr. Joshua Olowo, described the development as a game changer. “We are excited to welcome United Nigeria Airlines to the Sabre marketplace. This partnership aligns with our goal to help local carriers reach broader markets, increase revenue opportunities, and serve travelers better through Sabre’s world-class technology,” he said.
Since its launch in 2021, United Nigeria Airlines has grown rapidly, operating flights to key cities including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Asaba, Anambra, Kano, Warri, Katsina, Sokoto, Bayelsa, and Benin.
The airline also revealed plans to expand further on domestic routes with new destinations such as Jos, Maiduguri, and Bauchi.
On the international front, preparations are underway for long-haul destinations including the United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, Johannesburg, and Dakar.
With a growing fleet, a strong domestic network, and now, global distribution access, United Nigeria Airlines is poised to transition from a national carrier to a competitive global airline.
