By Kelvin
United Nigeria is a new airline established in 2020, after fulfilling all mandatory regulatory requirements and acquiring a two year Air Operators Certificate (AOC) on the 1st of February 2021, it conducted its inaugural flights from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos state to Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu on the 12th of February 2021. It continued to Abuja, rerouted back to Enugu and finally retired in Lagos.
A new airline was born.
The company’s headquarters and Operation base is situated in Akanu Ibiam International Airport popularly known as Enugu International Airport. The chairman of the airline claims Enugu Hub was a strategic choice for the company’s mission and not a sentimental decision.
Due to the recent surge in traffic, Cecilia Oguama, the manager of Akanu Ibiam International Airport popularly seconded that Enugu is the best route to launch into the market. The security issues plaguing the country have resulted in some Nigerians resolving to air travel. Having said that, statistics show that less than 10% of Nigerians travel by air.
Ownership and vision
United Nigeria Airlines is a private airline owned by Private Airlines Services Limited. Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines is also an affiliate of the parent company. According to the information we found in the media, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo is a billionaire, Russian-trained political scientist, entrepreneur, and businessman. The Anambra man owns a popular event center in Abuja called “The Dome” and It is believed that he also owns several other establishments including United Nigeria Airlines.
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Obiora Okonkwo, affectionately known as Dikeora Ogidi contested for the governorship ticket of the Anambra under the PDP and came second, losing out to Valentine Ozigbo by just six votes. It is believed that had the ticket not been zoned to Anambra South, Dikeora who is from Anambra Central, would have clinched the ticket.
Dikeora is not the sole owner of United Airlines. In fact, it is said to be called United because it is a gathering of many big wigs. One of such is Chief Victor Ikwuemesi the founder of Sosoliso Airline. Chief Ikwuemesi, also from Ogidi, passed away in April 2020 but his stake, managed by his son, is huge.
United Nigeria Airlines inherited some of Sosoliso’s equipment, staff, and headquarters in Garden Avenue, Enugu.
The aviation industry is quite small but its inter-industry linkage is very strong, connecting the upstream and the downstream sector. The Industry just started warming up after it came to a standstill because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which the world is yet to recover from. Despite this setback, experts believe there is no better time to invest in the aviation industry than now. United Nigeria Airlines’ timing cannot be better.
With the recent expansion of United Nigeria Airlines, it would be wise for competitors to keep both eyes on them. “We should be the people they should be worried about because we are new,” the chairman said.
Dr. Okonkwo stated his plan towards expanding their routes within Nigeria through consolidation before expanding out of Nigeria, with west Africa as its starting point. He also stressed the need for more aircraft as there is not enough compared to passengers available. With the increase in the use of air travel, actions must be taken sooner rather than later.
Air fleet and routes
Before launch, United Nigeria Airlines acquired four Embraer ERJ-145LR aircraft with a seating capacity of 50 passengers in mid-2020, they were examined by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Earlier, before flight services commenced, United Nigeria Airlines scheduled its services for four destinations: Abuja, Asaba, Enugu, and Lagos but later expanded to six destinations adding Port Harcourt and Owerri. United Nigeria Airlines’ Hub airports are situated in Enugu (Enugu International Airport) and Lagos (General Murtala Muhammed International Airport).
United Nigeria Airlines presently flies Enugu, Asaba, Owerri, and Port Harcourt to and from Abuja and Lagos. The Anambra International Airport would join this list when it is open to passenger flights. There is no magic wand to make this prediction.
The airline’s flight is one of the most affordable in the industry and it is unknown if this would change as time goes on. Flight prices depend on how early or late you book your flight, ranging from as low as 29,000 for the economy saver to 50,000 for Economy flex.
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