BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
United Nigeria Airlines has been admitted as a full member of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), a development expected to strengthen Nigeria’s influence in Africa’s aviation industry and deepen collaboration among airlines across the continent.
The airline’s admission expands AFRAA’s presence in one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing aviation markets, while supporting the association’s drive to promote sustainable growth, regional connectivity and closer cooperation among African carriers.
United Nigeria Airlines, which commenced commercial operations in February 2021, has steadily expanded its operations with a focus on improving domestic connectivity and supporting regional integration within West Africa.
The carrier currently operates a mixed fleet comprising Boeing 737-800 Next Generation, Embraer 145, Airbus A320, Embraer 190 and CRJ 900 aircraft.
It serves 14 domestic destinations, including Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Benin City, Asaba, Warri, Yenagoa, Ilorin, Sokoto, Ekiti and Anambra, with plans to add four more domestic routes before the end of the year.
The airline also operates flights to Accra and has been designated by the Nigerian government to operate services to the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey and other regional and international destinations as it expands its international network.
Beyond route expansion, the airline recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Guinea-Bissau to support the establishment of a national carrier for the country.
It has also secured the IATA Operational Safety Audit certification and is a member of the IATA Clearing House, reflecting its compliance with international operational and safety standards.
The airline is also planning to establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Nigeria, a project expected to reduce the industry’s dependence on expensive overseas aircraft maintenance while strengthening the country’s aviation ecosystem.
Speaking on the admission, AFRAA Secretary-General, Abderahmane Berthé, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets and said the airline’s membership would further strengthen the association.
“We are truly excited to welcome United Nigeria Airlines into the AFRAA fraternity. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and one of its most dynamic aviation markets, and United Nigeria Airlines exemplifies the resilient, forward-looking spirit of the African airline industry,” he said.
According to him, the airline will benefit from AFRAA’s advocacy initiatives, commercial intelligence, joint projects, networking opportunities and capacity-building programmes aimed at supporting the growth of African airlines.
Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, described the admission as a landmark achievement for both the airline and Nigeria’s aviation sector.
He said AFRAA membership would provide the airline with a stronger platform to collaborate with other African carriers, expand connectivity across the continent and contribute to the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market initiative.
“Our vision has always been to unite Nigerians and connect them more closely to the rest of the continent. AFRAA membership gives us a stronger platform to advance that vision, collaborate with our fellow African carriers and contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the Single African Air Transport Market,” Okonkwo said.
AFRAA said the admission aligns with its strategic priorities of accelerating the implementation of SAATM, promoting intra-African trade and tourism, and improving operational excellence among African airlines.
With its admission, United Nigeria Airlines joins more than 40 airlines under the AFRAA umbrella. Collectively, AFRAA’s member airlines account for over 85 per cent of international passenger traffic carried by African carriers.
The association said its members benefit from collective advocacy, stronger commercial partnerships, market intelligence, operational efficiency initiatives and joint negotiations, as African airlines continue to push for greater regional integration and a more liberalised air transport market across the continent.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
