February 13, 2026
United Nigeria Airlines has announced plans to expand its fleet to 11 aircraft by the end of the second quarter of 2026 as it moves to deepen domestic operations and commence long-haul international services.
The Chief Executive Officer, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, disclosed the plans on Thursday, highlighting the carrier’s growth journey since its launch in February 2021. The airline began operations with four narrow-body aircraft on the Lagos-Enugu route. It now operates 10 aircraft, connects 16 Nigerian states, and has commenced regional flights to Accra, Ghana.
“To add to our existing 10 aircraft, we have acquired six 737–800 NG from Southwest Aviation and are finalising negotiations for an additional three of the same type, scheduled for delivery before the end of the second quarter, starting March 2026 with the first two aircraft,” Okonkwo said.
He added that the airline had leased two A330–200 wide-body aircraft from Anka Aviation Turkey to support international operations, with deliveries expected between July and October 2026, starting on July 26.
“Our ambition is clear: to transform United Nigeria Airlines from a leading national carrier into a recognised continental aviation powerhouse. We plan to start six additional regional and continental routes in the second quarter of 2026. These include Dakar, Monrovia, and Johannesburg, with plans for Gulf states, Europe, and North America—Dubai, Jeddah, Rome, New York, the UK—by summer 2026,” Okonkwo stated.
The UNA chairman also announced that the airline has transitioned from equivalent maintenance systems to an Approved Maintenance Organisation structure, as a precursor to establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility within three years.
Reflecting on UNA’s five-year journey, Okonkwo acknowledged operational challenges including COVID-19 shutdowns, regulatory hurdles, currency volatility, and infrastructural constraints. “Yet, each challenge strengthened our resolve and sharpened our focus,” he said.
UNA has achieved International Air Transport Association membership and IOSA certification within two years of operations. The airline also unveiled initiatives including its in-flight magazine “Harmony,” the “Unity Rewards” loyalty programme, and the UNA Foundation, focusing on education, healthcare, and aviation training.
However, Okonkwo decried the lack of functional transit facilities at Nigeria’s international airports, describing it as a major setback for indigenous carriers seeking to compete on continental and intercontinental routes.
“It’s a big concern for us that we don’t have a primary transit facility. It makes it very difficult to create a hub in Nigeria. If these facilities are not in place, it will be very difficult to achieve our aim of flying to continental and intercontinental destinations,” he said during a press briefing in Lagos marking UNA’s fifth anniversary.
He explained that without proper transit systems allowing seamless passenger connections, Nigerian carriers are unable to attract and retain international transfer traffic. Data from the International Air Transport Association indicates that only one per cent of international passengers arriving in Nigeria could connect onward to another country in 2024, largely due to the absence of transit facilities.
Despite the challenges, Okonkwo expressed optimism that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, would address the infrastructure gap. “We are very hopeful that the engagement we are having with the Minister, who is very interested in this, will yield the expected results,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure, Okonkwo also revealed UNA’s plans to list the airline on the Nigerian Exchange within three years to deepen corporate governance and allow broader public participation.
“So far, we have airlifted over 2.5 million passengers in five years, reflecting growing confidence in the brand. Listing on the exchange will further strengthen our governance, transparency, and investment appeal,” he added.
The UNA chairman described transit infrastructure as critical to airport development and airline growth, stressing that engagement with government authorities is ongoing. “We consider this as a critical infrastructure in our airports. We are engaging and getting positive results. The Minister will address it,” he said.
