United Nigeria to acquire 11 aircraft, begin flights to US, Jeddah, others in 2026
In a bold move that underscores its ambition to become a major force in global aviation, United Nigeria Airlines has unveiled plans to acquire 11 new aircraft and expand its route network to include long-haul flights to key international destinations, including New York in the United States and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, among others. Chairman […]
United Nigeria Airlines (UNA)
In a bold move that underscores its ambition to become a major force in global aviation, United Nigeria Airlines has unveiled plans to acquire 11 new aircraft and expand its route network to include long-haul flights to key international destinations, including New York in the United States and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, among others.
Chairman of the airline, Prof. Obiorah Okonkwo disclosed this yesterday at the airline’s fifth anniversary press conference in Lagos, where he unveiled an expansive growth roadmap that reflects the carrier’s confidence in the future of Nigerian and African aviation.
“We stand at an important inflection point,” said Okonkwo, adding, “What began five years ago as a vision to connect cities across Nigeria has grown into a robust airline ready to extend its wings across continents. With 11 new aircraft joining our fleet, we will open flights to strategically important global hubs and deliver even greater service to our passengers.”
The airline in the last five years of operation has conveyed over 2.5million passengers across its domestic and regional operation.
The fifth anniversary also witnessed the unveiling the airline’s in-flight magazine, Harmony, as well as the United Nigeria Airline Foundation which will support education, healthcare, aviation training, and community development programs across Nigeria.
The 11 new aircraft — a modern mix of narrow-body and wide-body jets — are expected to be phased into operations starting in the second quarter of 2026, with deliveries continuing through 2027.
This expansion will support both the airline’s regional ambitions and its introduction of long-haul services.
Among the new additions are Boeing 737-800NG aircraft for regional and short to medium-haul services, as well as leased Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft earmarked for intercontinental routes.
He said, “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 negotiations 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 delivery of the first two aircraft.
“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.
Okonkwo confirmed plans to commence international flights to Gulf states, Europe and America by summer 2026, adding, “These destinations include, Dubai, Jedah, Rome, New York, UK etc.”
“We are building bridges — between continents, cultures, and communities,” the Chairman said, adding, “These new routes reflect our commitment to offering greater choice, convenience, and connectivity for passengers traveling for business, leisure, and pilgrimage.”
The airline also reiterated its commitment to operational excellence, customer experience, and adherence to global safety standards.
Speaking further, the Chairman decried the absence of transit facilities at any of Nigeria’s airports, describing it as a major challenge confronting indigenous carriers.
He said, “It’s a big concern for us (airline operators) that we don’t have a primary facility. It makes it very difficult to create a hub in Nigeria. What that simply means is that if those things are not in place, it will be very difficult for us to achieve our aim of flying to longer regions, continental and intercontinental.
“So, we are very hopeful that the engagement we are having with the Minister of Aviation, who is very interested in this, will yield the expected result before we kick off because we must be able to get people from other regions into Nigeria.
“So, we consider this as a critical infrastructure in our airports. We are engaging and we are getting positive results. As of the construction going on, I don’t know the details of what is contained there, but I know that this minister will address it.”