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United Nigeria Airlines has announced it has received two new aircraft to expand its operations, add more destinations in its domestic and regional services. The newly delivered equipment is a Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, bearing registration numbers 5N-CFC and 5N-CFB.  A statement from the airline said the aircraft are named in honour of two distinguished figures: His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Obi of Onitsha), a revered traditional ruler and custodian of cultural heritage, and the late Professor Chinua Achebe, Africa’s literary giant whose works reshaped global narratives about Africa.  United Nigeria Airlines said the double dedication to these notable figures positions them as flying symbols of legacy, culture, and national pride. “This milestone strengthens United Nigeria Airlines growing fleet and reinforces its position within Nigeria and Africa’s evolving aviation landscape. Beyond a routine delivery, the aircraft brings capacity, enhanced comfort, and improved reliability, meeting rising demand for a more seamless and premium travel experience,” the airline said. In another aviation sector related development, barely four months after signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and United Nigeria Airlines have recorded another major milestone, with the airline granting a 50 per cent airfare discount to students of the institution during the June 2026 holiday period. The latest gesture is coming on the heels of an existing partnership that has already seen 20 final-year Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering students of the university undergoing hands-on industrial training at the airline’s ultra-modern maintenance facility in Lagos, with each student receiving a monthly stipend of N100,000. Meanwhile, the United Nigeria Airline disclosed that its newly acquired aircraft arrived the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Lagos, on June13, 2026, and will be formally unveiled in a ceremony attended by the Obi of Onitsha, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and other key stakeholders. Speaking ahead of the arrival, the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Adedayo Olawuyi, described the development as “a defining chapter in the airline’s growth journey and a proud statement of Nigerian excellence taking flight.” “This aircraft is not just about expanding capacity; it is about telling our story, celebrating our icons, and uniting our people with a renewed sense of pride,” he added. The Boeing 737-800, globally recognised for efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort, will strengthen United Nigeria operational capacity and route network, supporting the airline’s commitment to safe, seamless, and world-class service, with plans for more regional and long-haul expansion. In another major sector related development, the management of Nigeria’s rising carrier, Ibom Air, has announced that it has relocated its domestic operations to the new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo. The new terminal, which would host the airline’s international operations, has modern facilities and expanded departures and arrival areas. “Ibom Air is pleased to announce the commencement of its domestic flight operations from the newly commissioned International Terminal of the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, effective today, June 14, 2026. “The transition marks a significant milestone in the airline’s growth journey and underscores its commitment to delivering an enhanced travel experience through improved operational efficiency and world-class passenger service. “The state-of-the-art facility offers expanded passenger handling capacity, improved check-in and boarding processes, enhanced security features, and greater comfort for travelers,” the airline said in a statement. Commenting on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, said: “Today marks another defining moment in the evolution of Ibom Air and the aviation sector in Akwa Ibom State. The commencement of our domestic operations from the new International Terminal reflects our unwavering commitment to providing our passengers with a seamless, safe, and world-class travel experience. “This facility not only elevates the standard of air travel for our customers but also positions Akwa Ibom as a strategic aviation hub for business, tourism, and regional connectivity.” The airline explained that the relocation of domestic operations to the new terminal aligns with Ibom Air’s vision of continually enhancing customer experience while supporting the broader economic development objectives of Akwa Ibom State. “Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport ahead of their scheduled departure times and familiarize themselves with the new terminal facilities to ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience. “Ibom Air extends its appreciation to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, the NCAA (Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority), our service partners, and our loyal customers whose support has been instrumental in achieving this milestone,” Ibom Air added. Meanwhile, the special airfare package for ABUAD students, described as a “Holiday Home-Coming Fare,” was conveyed in a letter dated June 11, 2026, by the United Nigeria Airline’s Head of Business Development and Strategy, Mrs. Ifeoma Ekwerike, to the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde. Under the arrangement, verified ABUAD students travelling from Ekiti Airport to Abuja or Lagos during the holiday period will pay a discounted one-way fare of N200,000, while students travelling to destinations such as Port Harcourt, Enugu and other cities through connecting flights via Abuja or Lagos will pay N280,000. The airline said the initiative was designed to ease the financial burden on students and their parents while providing a more convenient and safer travel option during the holiday season. The airfare discount is the latest benefit from the MoU signed on February 6, 2026, between ABUAD and United Nigeria Airlines to provide industry-based training opportunities for students of the university’s Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering programme. The agreement, expected to run for an initial period of 10 years subject to renewal, enables 20 final-year students annually to participate in intensive practical training under the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) at no cost to either the university or the students. Speaking on the partnership, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, said the collaboration formed part of the airline’s commitment to practical education, human capital development and skills transfer. According to him, the initiative aligns with the airline’s corporate social responsibility objectives […]

Nigeria has successfully completed the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 2024 Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA), recording an Effective Implementation score that aviation authorities say reflects the country’s continued compliance with international aviation security standards and its standing within the global aviation community. The audit, conducted between March 11 and March 22, 2024, covered operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. ICAO auditors assessed Nigeria’s aviation security and facilitation systems across nine critical areas, including inflight security, passenger and baggage security, cargo security, facilitation, legislation, training, operations, quality control and responses to acts of unlawful interference. At the conclusion of the exercise, ICAO Audit Team Lead Callum Vine commended Nigeria’s aviation security framework, highlighting the country’s established security policies, the clear responsibilities assigned to aviation agencies and the cooperation extended to the audit team throughout the assessment. The USAP-CMA programme remains ICAO’s primary mechanism for evaluating how member states implement international aviation security standards. More than 100 of ICAO’s 193 member states have undergone the audit process, making it one of the most widely recognised global benchmarks for aviation security compliance. Industry stakeholders note that the programme is designed to identify areas requiring improvement rather than rank or penalise countries. Under ICAO’s framework, audit findings are used to develop corrective action plans aimed at strengthening aviation security systems and ensuring continued compliance with international standards. For Nigeria, the successful completion of the audit represents another milestone in its engagement with global aviation oversight mechanisms. The country continues to maintain FAA Category 1 status, which permits Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights to the United States, while also participating in ICAO’s security and facilitation programmes. Officials say the outcome of the audit was supported by months of preparation coordinated across several aviation agencies and NCAA directorates. Technical officers were assigned to each audit domain to review compliance documentation, identify gaps and ensure that records submitted to ICAO accurately reflected Nigeria’s implementation of international standards. The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, credited the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, for providing leadership and mobilising resources ahead of the audit. According to Achimugu, the preparation process involved extensive collaboration among technical personnel responsible for security oversight, facilitation, operations, training and quality control functions across the aviation sector. Among the officers involved was Matthew Kayode Folorunso, an Assistant General Manager in the Directorate of Air Transport Regulations, who coordinated documentation for the Facilitation domain. Folorunso has previously represented Nigeria at the ICAO Facilitation Panel and served as the country’s focal person for Advance Passenger Information systems. Officials familiar with the process said the extensive pre-audit review helped consolidate Nigeria’s compliance records and ensured that auditors were presented with complete and verifiable documentation during the assessment. With the 2024 audit completed, attention is now turning to future improvement targets. Former NCAA Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, had previously set an aspirational Effective Implementation target of 90 per cent for future audit cycles.

More facts have emerged on the controversial private jet incident that landed on an uncompleted road in Ogwashi-Uku, Asaba, Delta State, last week. Searches on the site of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that the aircraft is owned by an American company, Best Aircraft Deals LCC in Salt Lake City, United States of America (U.S.) and operated in Nigeria by VMO Aero Limited. The aircraft was manufactured in 1988 by Canadair Ltd with the serial number: 5021 and currently carries the registration number: N989BC. A source close to the aircraft company told The Guardian that the captain and the co-pilot were both Americans at the time of the incident. The incident, which involved a Bombardier Challenger CL-601 business jet, has triggered multiple investigations by aviation regulators, security agencies, and accident investigators, following revelations that the aircraft landed on a roadway and later departed the scene without regulatory clearance. Speaking on the issue, aviation security consultant Olufemi Adeniji, in an interview with The Guardian over the weekend, called for a comprehensive security investigation involving all individuals connected to the flight. He also charged the Federal Government to intensify vigilance on private airports and airstrips across the country, especially at this time of a high insecurity situation in the country. Adeniji insisted that the unauthorised departure of the aircraft from the road raises serious questions about the authorisation of the takeoff and whether standard procedures were deliberately ignored by the aircraft’s four crew. Adeniji further questioned how a fixed-wing aircraft could land on a public roadway, discharge passengers, and subsequently took off again without attracting immediate intervention from security agencies. He argued that if the aircraft had crashed during the unauthorised departure or landing, lives and property within the surrounding communities could have been impacted.

The Government of Guinea-Bissau has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to establish a national carrier, AIR BISSAU, for the West African country, to boost its aviation industry and reduce its dependence on foreign airlines. The agreement, signed in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, was disclosed in a statement made available by the airline on Sunday. The MoU was signed by Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Dr Florentino Pereira, and the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo. Recall that Nigeria currently has no national carrier despite repeated calls by industry stakeholders for its establishment to facilitate reciprocal flight rights to foreign destinations, particularly the United States. Attempts to establish a national carrier through a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines also hit a brick wall following lawsuits by the Airline Operators of Nigeria, an association for which Okonkwo once served as spokesperson. Other factors that contributed to the failure of the national carrier project included deep-seated political issues, allegations of fraud and a controversial ownership structure. In the latest agreement between the Nigerian airline and Guinea-Bissau, which was made available to our correspondent, both parties will “explore a comprehensive cooperation framework aimed at establishing a fully operational national airline with Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau serving as the operational base and hub for the carrier’s initial routes.” For decades, Guinea-Bissau has relied largely on regional carriers and charter services to connect its citizens and businesses to other countries. A key component of the MoU is the creation of a joint venture company that will operate as Guinea-Bissau’s national airline. Under the arrangement, United Nigeria Airlines will provide the majority of the financial investment, operational expertise, aircraft and management for the new carrier. Extending beyond commercial operations, the Nigerian carrier is expected to “provide and operate an executive jet for the use of the President and Government of Guinea-Bissau.” To facilitate the project, the government pledged to “facilitate the registration and licensing of the new national carrier in line with domestic laws and streamline authorisation processes through both the Civil Aviation Authority of Guinea-Bissau and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria.” Guinea-Bissau also agreed to designate AIR BISSAU as its official national carrier, granting it “full rights over all existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement entitlements.” According to the MoU, the designation would give the airline “significant leverage in securing route rights and authorisations to regional and international destinations,” described as an important commercial and diplomatic asset. The government further committed to ensuring that Osvaldo Vieira International Airport receives the infrastructure support required for the airline’s operations, including access provisions, ground support services and assistance with customs, immigration and security compliance. Additionally, Guinea-Bissau pledged to invest in the establishment of the airline and create mechanisms that would protect and incentivise investment through the existing Investment Code and applicable tax frameworks. As part of efforts to develop local aviation expertise, United Nigeria Airlines plans to train “qualified Guinean nationals including pilots, cabin crew, and technical maintenance personnel” and employ local staff wherever feasible in line with government employment policies. The MoU makes it clear that operational control of the airline will remain with the Nigerian carrier. “For the purposes of safety, reliability, and efficiency, the overall management, operational control, and general direction of the new airline will rest with the management team of United Nigeria Airlines,” the statement noted. Both parties also agreed to provide full liability and hull insurance coverage for all flight operations, conduct annual independent safety and maintenance audits, and establish asset protection mechanisms for investors. The agreement takes immediate effect and will remain valid for 18 months or until a substantive joint venture agreement is concluded.

One of Nigeria’s leading carriers, United Nigeria Airlines, on Monday, June 1, rewarded its passengers with the recently released Samsung Galaxy phones in the Awesome Row partnership it has with the phone company. The winners, Hamid Ibrahim, Chidi Chinedu, and Gbenga Bello, were among passengers selected through an onboard lucky dip on the Lagos–Abuja and Abuja–Lagos flights on the day. Passengers also got exclusive in-flight access to the new Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37 and winners emerged from the live experience. Speaking on the outcome of the initiative, UNA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dayo Olawuyi, expressed delight at the success of the promotion, saying that it reflects the airline’s deepest commitment to its passengers and the values that drive the brand. He said: “At United Nigeria Airlines, we fly to unite. Every route we operate, every flight we run, is about bringing Nigerians together, whether for business, work or family functions. “This partnership with Samsung is an extension of that mission because they share our belief in delivering the very best to Nigerians, and together, we wanted to create a moment that passengers would never forget. We are very thrilled for Hamid, Chidi, and Gbenga, and we congratulate them on their wins. “We are very passionate about ensuring our customers have the best experience, and that is exactly the kind of thing we want people to associate with flying United Nigeria Airlines.”