United Nigeria Airlines has been granted authorization to conduct overseas flights. The approval was granted by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
The airline will initiate international flights to several destinations, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In a communication conveying this consent, signed by Mr. H.T. Ejiburu, Director of Air Transport Management, acting on behalf of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, to United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, it was affirmed that the approval aligns with the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and these nations.
The notification reads: “We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 2nd August 2023 regarding the above-mentioned subject and convey the Honourable Minister’s approval for the designation of United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited to conduct international flights to the following countries and cities: the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Italy (Rome), United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Dubai), United Kingdom (London), the United States of America (USA) (Houston), and Ireland (Dublin).
The designation of United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited is consistent with the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the governments of these six countries.
As a result, the airline is advised to cooperate with the Civil Aviation Authorities of these countries to complete the necessary documentation before commencing scheduled flight operations. However, they are also urged to adhere to Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig. CARs (2023) Part 18.5.1.1 A-C and liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) if additional requirements are necessary.
Please note that this approval has been conveyed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for any further steps.”
United Nigeria Airlines, under the leadership of Chairman Prof Obiora Okonkwo OFR, initiated its flight operations in 2021, providing scheduled flights to major Nigerian cities. The airline had previously received approval for regional flights and is in the final stages of preparations to commence regional operations in the coming weeks with the arrival of additional aircraft around mid-October.
