United Nigeria Airways To Launch Direct Lagos–New York Flight Mid-2026
Nigeria’s fast-growing service, United Nigeria Airways (UNA) has introduced it will begin direct flight to New York from Lagos, mid 2026, 5 years after it began operation.
In the course of the interval, the airline airlifted over 2.5 million passengers and added one regional flight service.
Talking at a press convention to mark the fifth anniversary of the airline in Lagos on Thursday, Chairman, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, mentioned the airline has ordered 11 plane, together with two A330-200 and 6 737-800 plane in preparation for the operations.
Okonkwo mentioned one of many plane, A330-200 might be delivered to the airline by the tip of the second quarter of this yr whereas the others might be delivered later within the yr.
“We’re beginning some regional and worldwide routes by the tip of second quarter of this yr, one of many A330-200 might be delivered to us by July 26, the second will are available by October and by the tip of the second quarter, we are going to fly direct to New York.
” We plan to begin extra six regional and continental routes on or earlier than the second quarter of 2026. These routes embrace however not restricted to Dakar, Monrovia, Johannesburg and many others.
”Plans are in superior stage to begin worldwide flights to Gulf states, Europe and America by summer time 2026, the whole lot being equal. These locations embrace, Dubai, Jedah, Rome, New York, UK and many others.
” So as to add to our current 10 Plane in our operations as at in the present day, we have now acquired six 737 – 800 NG from Southwest Aviation and finalising negotiations for extra three of the identical plane kind all scheduled to be delivered earlier than the tip of 2nd quarter, ranging from March 2026 after we take supply of the primary two plane.
”We had additionally leased 2 A330 – 200 extensive physique plane to assist our worldwide operations from Anka Aviation Turkey, to be delivered between July and October 2026 with first supply on twenty sixth of July, amongst different plane acquisition negotiations that deliveries might mature past 2026.”, Professor Okonkwo mentioned.
To save lots of price and time, he mentioned the airline has migrated from equal upkeep methods to Plane Upkeep Organisation (AMO) as a prelude to establishing its personal Upkeep, Restore and Overhaul (MRO) facility throughout the subsequent three years.
He nevertheless mentioned that the plan of Nigerian airways to function regional and worldwide service is hampered by the absence of transit amenities at Nigeria’s main airports and known as on involved authorities to supply the ability at the very least on the Lagos and Abuja airports in different to boost the operation of home airways and make them compete successfully with international airways.
He famous that when transit amenities are offered it can make Nigeria hub in West and Central Africa, as home airways can now deliver passengers from regional nations and take them farther to worldwide locations.
Talking additional on the roadmap for the subsequent 5 years, Professor Okonkwo mentioned the airline’s ambition is to rework it from a number one flag service right into a acknowledged continental aviation powerhouse, with strategic regional, continental, and ultimately intercontinental routes.
”This roadmap is anchored on three pillars: Excellence in Passenger Expertise, the airline will proceed to spend money on fashionable plane, modern inflight companies, and customer-focused digital options; Sustainable Development & Partnerships, the airline would broaden its community responsibly, leveraging strategic alliances, and rising its cargo and ancillary companies and Affect Past Aviation, with this we might be supporting communities, nurturing expertise, and giving again by way of initiatives that stretch past the airport and the skies.”, he added.
Okonkwo additionally mentioned, “At this time, we have a good time not solely that flight, however the journey we have now taken since then — the challenges we confronted, the heights we reached, and the horizons we purpose to beat within the years forward.
Counting the achievements below the 5 years interval, the Chairman disclosed that the airline has grown from a single route imaginative and prescient and 4 slender physique plane, ERJ 145, to a a number of fleet of 10 plane, uniting 16 cities throughout Nigeria and now reaching its first regional vacation spot in Ghana.”
”We grew to become an IATA member, a recognition of our operational requirements and dedication to world finest practices, and IOSA (IATA Operational Security Audit) licensed in a document time of two years of operations, testomony to our worldwide security requirements.
”Alongside development, we have now constructed a workforce of devoted aviation professionals who embody excellence, self-discipline, and repair. These embrace however not restricted to each cockpit and cabin crews, engineers, dispatchers, floor officers, below graduates by way of our internship programmes and many others. All of them acquire world class coaching each in Nigeria and abroad.
“This journey was not with out its challenges. Nigeria’s aviation setting is advanced — from covid-19 period shutdown, regulatory hurdles to infrastructure constraints, forex volatility to operational pressures. But, every problem strengthened our resolve and sharpened our focus. “, he added.
Talking on flight delays, Okonkwo appealed to the flying public to be affected person with airways saying that some delays occur for security motive and never a deliberate try to frustrate passengers.
The airline additionally unveiled its in-flight Journal often known as Concord. It launched its loyalty and frequent flyer programme often known as Unity Rewards
Chinedu Eze
Times Nigeria