United Nigeria Airlines to Launch New Regional Routes, Form Alliances in Major Expansion Drive

United Nigeria Airlines has unveiled an ambitious expansion strategy that will see the carrier extend its operations across West and Central Africa while laying the groundwork for services to Europe, North America and the Middle East over the next two years.

The airline said it is preparing to launch flights to Monrovia in Liberia, Banjul in The Gambia, Dakar in Senegal, Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and Conakry in Guinea as part of efforts to strengthen its presence within the West African sub-region and tap into growing demand for regional air connectivity.

The Chief Commercial Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Adedayo Olawuyi, disclosed the airline’s expansion plans during a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos on Thursday.

Olawuyi described the airline as currently the second-largest domestic carrier in Nigeria and said recent fleet acquisitions, coupled with additional aircraft expected in the coming months, would provide the platform needed to execute its expansion agenda.

According to him, the airline is pursuing a phased growth strategy that prioritises regional routes before extending services to key international destinations.

“As you know, we have just acquired some aircraft, and we still have more on the way. Our plan is to grow within the region and also internationally,” he said.

“In the short term, we are looking to increase our presence in West Africa, starting with routes such as Monrovia, Banjul, Dakar, Abidjan and Conakry.”

The airline’s move comes amid increasing calls for stronger intra-African connectivity, with many travellers still facing the challenge of making lengthy connections through foreign hubs when travelling between African countries.

Industry stakeholders have long argued that direct air links are essential for boosting trade, tourism, investment and regional integration across the continent.

Olawuyi revealed that United Nigeria Airlines is also advancing plans linked to its partnership in Guinea-Bissau, where it intends to assist in establishing a national carrier for the West African nation.

The arrangement, he explained, is expected to strengthen the airline’s regional influence and provide additional opportunities for fleet deployment and network expansion.

“I’m sure you also read about the partnership with Guinea-Bissau, so there are plans for us to set up an airline there, which will help us increase our fleet presence in West Africa,” he said.

Beyond the West African market, the airline is targeting Central African destinations such as Douala in Cameroon and Libreville in Gabon.

It is also planning to enter the Southern African market through Johannesburg, South Africa, a route Olawuyi believes holds significant economic and commercial potential.

“In Central Africa, we are looking at Douala and Libreville, and further down, at Johannesburg, South Africa,” he stated.
“Despite the attacks, we will continue to look at South Africa because it’s about more than the issues happening today; it’s about trade between the two countries. So those are our plans on the regional and African front.”

The airline’s long-term ambitions extend far beyond the African continent. Olawuyi disclosed that the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Turkey, Dubai and Saudi Arabia have all been identified as strategic destinations for future operations.

He said the airline intends to gradually establish a presence in these markets as regulatory processes are completed and additional aircraft become available.

“We are also looking at the UK, the US, Canada, Turkey, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. So those are the things we have planned for the next six to 24 months in terms of expansion,” he said.

“All of this is subject to aircraft delivery, regulatory approvals and obtaining foreign operator or foreign carrier permits, depending on the country. But for all of those destinations, we have already started the process, and for some of them, we are already very far along.”

The planned expansion represents one of the most significant growth initiatives announced by a Nigerian airline in recent years and reflects the increasing confidence among indigenous carriers seeking to compete on regional and international routes.

Aviation analysts note that Nigerian airlines have traditionally faced challenges in expanding beyond domestic operations due to limited access to aircraft, high operating costs, foreign exchange constraints and regulatory hurdles.

However, successful expansion into regional markets could provide new revenue streams and reduce dependence on the highly competitive domestic sector.

Olawuyi stressed that partnerships would be central to the airline’s strategy, noting that no carrier can effectively compete in today’s aviation environment without collaboration.

“You can’t do anything by yourself. As the African proverb says: if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. So that’s exactly what we are trying to push,” he said.

He revealed that United Nigeria Airlines has already commenced discussions and interline arrangements with both local and international airlines as part of efforts to broaden its reach and offer passengers greater connectivity.

Although he declined to identify the airlines involved, he indicated that formal announcements would be made once negotiations are concluded.

According to him, strategic partnerships would enable the airline to enter markets where operating direct flights may not initially be commercially viable.

“There are some markets we can’t enter on our own, maybe because of high competition, or because traffic numbers aren’t enough to justify our own direct flight,” he explained.

The airline is also considering code-share agreements on major international routes, particularly to North America, as a stepping stone towards launching its own services in the future.

“So we are looking at partnering with a few airlines within the country and across West Africa and the rest of the continent to help fast-track this, as well as for the international destinations,” Olawuyi said.

“Even on routes like Canada and the US, we might start with a code-share before launching our own service. As for other companies in the value chain, if we’re unable to acquire our own aircraft, we can opt for a lease instead, which will also help us achieve our goals faster.”

He added that cooperation across the aviation value chain, including aircraft leasing and commercial partnerships, would help the airline achieve its expansion goals more efficiently.

With new aircraft entering its fleet, regulatory applications already underway and strategic partnerships being explored, UNA is positioning itself for a new phase of growth that could see it emerge as a stronger player in regional and international aviation, while contributing to improved connectivity between Nigeria, Africa and key destinations around the world.