Oluwadara Omiyale
United Nigeria Airlines has been admitted as a Full Member of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), giving the carrier access to the continent’s leading airline trade body as it pursues wider commercial partnerships, industry collaboration and regional market opportunities.
The admission places the Nigerian carrier within Africa’s principal airline industry association, providing opportunities to participate in continental aviation policy engagements, technical programmes, training initiatives and commercial cooperation with other African airlines.
AFRAA, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, represents more than 85 per cent of the international passenger and cargo traffic carried by African airlines. The association serves as the collective voice of African carriers on issues relating to air transport policy, operational efficiency, safety, sustainability and market development.
For United Nigeria Airlines, the membership comes as the carrier continues efforts to strengthen its position within Nigeria’s aviation industry while exploring opportunities beyond the domestic market through closer engagement with African airline operators and industry stakeholders.
Membership of the association also provides a platform for collaboration on areas including route development, operational best practices, safety enhancement, training, digital transformation and industry advocacy, all of which are increasingly important as African airlines seek to improve competitiveness and reduce operating costs.
The development aligns with continental efforts to deepen air transport integration through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an initiative designed to improve connectivity among African countries, facilitate passenger movement and encourage greater cooperation among indigenous carriers.
Commenting on the development, Obiora Okonkwo, chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, described the admission as an important milestone in the airline’s growth journey.
According to him, joining AFRAA reflects the airline’s commitment to contributing to the development of Africa’s aviation industry while expanding opportunities for collaboration with other carriers across the continent.
Abderahmane Berthe, AFRAA secretary general welcomed the airline into the association, noting that the organisation remains committed to promoting cooperation among African airlines and supporting initiatives that strengthen the continent’s aviation industry.
