Five years after its first flight from Lagos to Enugu, United Nigeria Airlines is preparing for its boldest leap yet launching direct flights to New York by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
The airline’s Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, announced the plan at the carrier’s 5th anniversary press conference in Lagos, revealing that United Nigeria Airlines has ordered 11 aircraft, including two Airbus A330-200 widebody jets and six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with negotiations ongoing for additional narrow-body aircraft.
Okonkwo said one of the A330-200 aircraft will be delivered on July 26, with the second expected in October, while deliveries of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft will begin in March 2026 and conclude before the end of the second quarter.
“We are starting some regional and international routes by the end of the second quarter of this year. By the end of the second quarter, we will fly direct to New York,” he said, noting that Dubai, Jeddah, Rome and the United Kingdom are also part of the airline’s international expansion plans.
The airline plans to launch at least six new regional and continental routes, including Dakar, Monrovia and Johannesburg, as it strengthens connectivity across Africa.
To improve operational efficiency, Okonkwo disclosed that the airline has migrated to an Aircraft Maintenance Organisation system, paving the way for its own Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility within three years.
He also urged Nigerian airport authorities to address the lack of transit facilities, which he said affects schedules and passenger experience.
Looking ahead, Okonkwo said the airline aims to transform from a national carrier into a continental aviation powerhouse, guided by three strategic pillars: improving passenger experience through modern aircraft and digital solutions, expanding responsibly through partnerships and cargo services, and delivering social impact beyond aviation.
United Nigeria Airlines commenced operations on February 12, 2021, and has grown from a startup with four aircraft and a single route to a fleet of 10 aircraft connecting 16 cities across Nigeria and Ghana.
The airline has carried millions of passengers, achieved IATA membership and IOSA safety certification within two years, and built a workforce of aviation professionals trained locally and overseas.
Okonkwo reflected on the challenges faced by the airline, including the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory hurdles, infrastructure limitations and currency volatility, but said these challenges strengthened the airline’s resilience.
He also appealed to passengers to be patient with flight delays, explaining that many disruptions are safety-driven rather than deliberate.
At the anniversary event, United Nigeria Airlines unveiled its inflight magazine Harmony, launched its loyalty programme Unity Rewards, and introduced the UNA Foundation to support education, healthcare, aviation training and community development initiatives.
