Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman, United Nigeria Airline (middle) flanked by Mr Eze Anaba, Editor, Vanguard Newspapers/President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (3rd left); Chiaka Ben-Obi, member, Board of Directors (4th right); Captain Ahmad Ibrahim Mahmud, Director of Operations (3rd right); Kelechi Asuquo, Director of Human Resource (2nd right) and others during the United Nigeria Airline World Press Conference to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Airline held in Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos
By Dickson Omobol
United Nigeria Airlines has disclosed plans to commence direct flights to New York, United States, in the second quarter of 2026.
The airline’s Chairman, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, said this while speaking to newsmen at United Nigeria Airlines’ fifth anniversary celebration in Lagos.
Okonkwo also unveiled the HARMONY magazine, loyalty plans and the United Airlines Foundation, which will support education, healthcare, aviation training and commerce development across Nigeria.
He said: “By the end of the second quarter of 2026, United Nigeria will commence direct flights to New York. We are also in the final stages of discussions to acquire additional 737-800 aircraft, which are expected to be delivered in the second and third quarters of the year. By the end of the year, we expect to add no fewer than 10 to 11 aircraft to our fleet.
“Our roadmap will unfold on three strong pillars. Number one: excellence in passenger experience. Number two: sustainable growth and partnerships. Number three: a path beyond aviation. we have some announcements also to make for you on initiatives we are thinking to help us bring this to life.
One of them is that we have introduced what we are unveiling today, our in-flight magazine, named Harmony. After five years of operation, we just felt that we need to find a way to tell our numerous clients and passengers that we see you, we feel you and we want you to remain with us. That is why we also have today, as one of these we should unveil, our loyalty programme that is called Unity Rewards.”
Meanwhile, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Eze Anaba, said: “You have been in existence for five years, and it has been a period of rapid growth. You moved from operating two or three routes to discussing regional and continental flights. Hopefully, before the end of the year, it will become global.
“I pray it happens for the simple reason that you are a man of vision and principle, and with the dedicated staff you have, I have no doubt that United Nigeria will continue to achieve great things.”
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