United Nigeria Airlines Targets January 2027 for Ekiti Cargo Flights
United Nigeria Airlines has pledged to commence commercial cargo operations at Ekiti Airport in January 2027, a move expected to open new opportunities for agricultural exports, expand market access for local businesses and strengthen the state’s aviation infrastructure.
The airline also plans to introduce daily passenger flights to and from the state soon, as the Ekiti State Government intensifies efforts to develop the airport into a viable hub for passenger transportation and cargo services.
The Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, announced the plans on Monday during the commissioning of an aviation fuel tank farm established by Reeve Energy Limited at Ekiti Airport.
Okonkwo said the airline was prepared to support the state’s economic ambitions by providing air transport services for agricultural produce and other commercial goods destined for different parts of Nigeria and international markets.
He assured Governor Abiodun Oyebanji that the airline would activate a cargo component of its operations by January 2027, adding that it would be ready to transport commercial cargo once the state had goods available for shipment.
According to him, the proposed service would not be restricted to domestic destinations, as businesses in Ekiti could eventually use the airline’s network to move goods to international markets, including London.
“Let me promise you, His Excellency, for your own sake, I’m going to make sure that by January next year, we activate a cargo section of our flights, so that we can work out a deal,” Okonkwo said.
“As soon as you are ready to start exporting cargo from here, whether it’s to other parts of Nigeria, it doesn’t have to be to London, but besides that, by that time, we’ll be flying to any part of the world. But if you have cargo by January, we will be the first to lift your commercial cargo.”
The proposed cargo operations could provide an additional transportation channel for farmers, agro-processors and other businesses seeking to distribute their products beyond Ekiti State.
The service could also support the development of the state’s agricultural value chain by improving access to markets where speed of delivery is commercially important.
However, the actual benefits will depend on the volume of cargo available, the cost of transportation, the destinations served and the arrangements put in place to facilitate the movement and handling of goods.
Okonkwo also disclosed that United Nigeria Airlines intended to introduce daily passenger flights to Ekiti soon, although he did not specify a commencement date for the proposed service.
The planned increase in flight frequency would provide residents and business travellers with more travel options while potentially improving the state’s connectivity with other commercial centres.
The airline chairman attributed the company’s involvement in Ekiti to the state government’s independent assessment of aviation operators and its decision to select United Nigeria Airlines based on its operational capabilities.
He said the airline had neither applied for the partnership nor lobbied the government to secure the arrangement, adding that the state had conducted its due diligence before approaching the company.
“We did not apply for this partnership. But if the government did their due diligence, found us worthy and capable of serving them, and approached us, I was very touched,” he said.
Okonkwo expressed appreciation for the government’s confidence in the airline, saying the partnership had encouraged the company to support the state’s aviation development efforts.
He further disclosed that United Nigeria Airlines had accepted lower passenger loads on some flights during periods of weak demand, describing the decision as a demonstration of its commitment to the partnership.
According to him, the airline had operated some flights with 40 passengers instead of 50, despite the lower numbers, because it trusted the state government’s commitment to developing the airport and sustaining air services.
The airline chairman also underscored the importance of the newly commissioned aviation fuel tank farm, noting that reliable access to aviation fuel would be crucial to sustaining and expanding operations at the airport.
He described United Nigeria Airlines as Nigeria’s second-largest consumer of aviation fuel after Air Peace, suggesting that the availability of fuel infrastructure would be important to the airline as it expanded its operations.
The commissioning of the tank farm is expected to strengthen the airport’s fuel supply capacity, potentially improving operational convenience for airlines and supporting the planned growth in flight services.
Meanwhile, Oyebanji said his administration was working to complete major airport infrastructure projects by the end of 2026, with the objective of enabling round-the-clock operations.
The governor identified the upgrade of the airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the installation of aerodrome ground lighting as key components of the ongoing improvements.
He said the ILS upgrade had been certified, while the aerodrome ground lighting project was in progress at a cost exceeding N10 billion.
According to him, completing the projects would enable the airport to accommodate aircraft operations at any time of the day, subject to applicable aviation safety requirements and operational approvals.
“By the time we finish what we are doing with the airport by the end of the year, by God’s grace, we should be able to complete the upgrade of the ILS that has been certified,” Oyebanji said.
“What we are doing now is what they call in aviation the Aerodrome Ground Lighting. That project is costing us more than N10 billion, so, by the time we finish that, at least we’ll be able to have 24-hour operation at the airport. This means aircraft can land at any time.”
The governor said extending operating hours would improve the airport’s capacity to support airline schedules and make it more attractive to operators seeking greater flexibility in planning their services.
Round-the-clock operations could also provide a foundation for future cargo services, which may require greater flexibility in flight scheduling to accommodate the collection, handling and delivery of time-sensitive goods.
Oyebanji added that the state government was pursuing an independent power producer arrangement to provide a dedicated electricity supply for the airport.
He said the initiative was intended to improve power reliability and make the facility more self-sufficient in meeting its electricity needs.
“We are also working on getting an IPP for this airport. We cannot be wasting time on that. So, once we have an IPP here, then the airport will be self-sufficient when it comes to electricity,” the governor said.
Oyebanji commended Reeve Energy Nigeria Limited for investing in the state through the aviation fuel tank farm, assuring investors that his administration would continue to support private-sector participation in infrastructure development.
The governor’s remarks reflect the state’s strategy of combining public investment in airport infrastructure with private-sector participation in aviation-related services.
With United Nigeria Airlines targeting January 2027 for the activation of cargo operations and planning to introduce daily passenger services, the success of the initiative will depend on the completion of the airport’s infrastructure projects, sustained airline operations and the availability of sufficient passenger and cargo demand.
For Ekiti’s agricultural and business communities, the proposed cargo service could create new opportunities to reach markets outside the state.
However, translating that potential into sustainable commercial activity will require competitive freight rates, efficient cargo handling and dependable connections to the intended destinations.
