By Sade Williams/Business a.m
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More Nigerian cities
The Management of United Nigeria Airlines Limited has announced plans to increase its fleet size and expand operations to more cities across Nigeria and the African region.
According to the plan, the airline will acquire two Embraer-190 aircraft, which will be delivered by the fourth quarter of the year 2023 as well as introduce 10 brand new Embraer-175 aircraft in batches within 24 months afterwards.
Osita Okonkwo, the airline’s chief operating officer (COO), said United Nigeria Airlines is not relenting in its effort to sustain its presence in the aviation sector and further serve Nigerians better.
He said: “We are desirous of expanding our operations. So, the acquisition of more aircraft is in accord with our business development and growth plan. We are bringing in Embraer-190 aircraft. We expect them to be in Nigeria by the end of the fourth quarter of the year 2023.
“We are also expecting another set of aircraft thereafter – 10 brand new Embraer-175. These will help us increase our capacity for national and regional operations,” he said.
He disclosed that arrangements are in top gear for operations to Ghana, Angola, South Africa, Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal among other African countries.
The airline, which started operations in February 2021, with four Embraer-145 aircraft effectively services nine cities in the country, with plans to connect more Nigerian cities within the 2023 fiscal year and in line with its mantra …flying to unite.
The carrier’s fleet currently consists of four Embraer ERJ145 jets, each with a capacity of 50 seats. According to data from Planespotters.net, these aircraft have an average age of 21.1 years. Previously, the airline leased an Airbus A320 jet to support its operations.
United Nigeria Airlines has its headquarters in Enugu, and a second office in Abuja operates from its hub at Enugu International Airport. The airline commenced operations with a fleet of four aircraft, flying to multiple cities in Nigeria, including Asaba, Abuja, Anambra, Enugu, Owerri, Lagos, Yenagoa, Osubi, and Port Harcourt.
The airline was recently certified by the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), for its operational and safety standards.
Nick Careen, IOSA’s senior vice president, operations, safety and security, said in his message that: “IATA is proud to recognize that United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited has been successfully registered as an IOSA Operator under the IATA Operational Safety Audit programme (IOSA), in accordance with the provisions of the IOSA Programme Manual”.
With the airline’s focus now on expanding its footprints in Africa and Nigeria, analysts say additional destinations in the former may not be surprising, noting that for the first time in the carrier’s history, it will have the capacity to grow its route network.
