United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) said it will begin its international operations with the launch of New York flights by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday to mark the fifth anniversary of the airline in Lagos, Obiora Okonkwo, its Chairman, said the airline has ordered for eight aircraft, including two A330-200 and six 737-800 aircraft in preparation for the operations.
Okonkwo said one of the aircraft, A330-200 will be delivered to the airline by the end of the second quarter of this year while the others will be delivered later in the year.
“We are starting some regional and international routes by the end second quarter of this year, one of the A330-200 will be delivered to us by July 26, the second one will come in by October and by the end of the second quarter, we will fly direct to New York.
”We plan to start additional 6 regional and continental routes on or before the 2nd quarter of 2026. These routes include but not limited to Dakar, Monrovia, Johannesburg etc. Plans are in advanced stage to commence international flights to Gulf states, Europe and America by summer 2026 everything being equal. These destinations include, Dubai, Jedah, Rome, New York, UK etc.”
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Okonkwo stater that to add to its existing 10 aircraft, the airline has acquired six 737 – 800 NG from Southwest Aviation and finalising negotiations for additional three of the same aircraft type all scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2nd quarter, starting from March 2026 when it will take delivery of the first two aircraft.
“We had also leased 2 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,” he said.
To save cost and time , he said the airline has migrated from equivalent maintenance systems to Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) as a prelude to establishing its own Maintenance, Repair Organisation (MRO) within the next three years.
The UNA boss however, lamented lack of transit facilities currently besetting the Nigeria airport and therefore appealed that, the authorities should look into these areas to enhance operational schedules and save passengers time.
Speaking further on the roadmap for the next five years, he said the airline’s ambition is to transform it from a leading national carrier into a recognized continental aviation powerhouse, with strategic regional, continental, and eventually intercontinental routes.
”This roadmap is anchored on three pillars: Excellence in passenger experience, the airline will continue to invest in modern aircraft, innovative inflight services, and customer-focused digital solutions; sustainable growth & partnerships.
“The airline would expand its network responsibly, leveraging strategic alliances, and growing it’s cargo and ancillary services and impact beyond aviation. With this, we will be supporting communities, nurturing talent, and giving back through initiatives that extend beyond the airport and the skies,” he explained.
