United Nigeria Airlines gains AFRAA full membership status

United Nigeria Airlines has been admitted as a full member of the African Airlines Association, a milestone expected to strengthen the Nigerian carrier’s continental presence while expanding collaboration among African airlines.

The admission also reinforces AFRAA’s strategic drive to deepen its footprint in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of its major aviation markets.

Announcing the development, AFRAA on its website said the airline’s membership reflects its commitment to building a stronger and more connected African aviation sector through collaboration, advocacy, and capacity development.

Speaking on the development, the Secretary General of AFRAA, Abderahmane Berthé, described United Nigeria Airlines as a resilient and forward-looking carrier whose admission would further strengthen the association.

Berthé said, “We are truly excited to welcome United Nigeria Airlines into the AFRAA fraternity. “Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, and one of its most dynamic aviation markets, and United Nigeria Airlines exemplifies the resilient, forward-looking spirit of the African airline industry.”

According to him, membership of the association opens a wide range of opportunities for the Nigerian carrier, including access to policy advocacy, commercial partnerships, and industry intelligence.

“At AFRAA, United Nigeria Airlines will now have access to our full suite of advocacy, joint projects, commercial intelligence, capacity building, and networking resources. We will work to elevate their growth and advance the cause of truly unified African skies,” he stated.

The Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, described the admission as a defining moment not only for the airline but also for Nigeria’s aviation industry, saying it aligns with the carrier’s long-term vision of improving connectivity across Africa.

“Joining AFRAA as a full member is a defining moment for United Nigeria Airlines and for Nigerian aviation as a whole,” Okonkwo said.

He explained that the airline was established with a vision of connecting Nigerians more efficiently while expanding access to destinations across the African continent.

Okonkwo expressed optimism that the partnership would create new opportunities for collaboration among African airlines, ultimately benefiting passengers through improved connectivity, efficiency, and competitiveness.

He stated, “Our vision has always been to unite Nigerians and connect them more closely to the rest of the continent. AFRAA membership gives us a stronger platform to advance that vision, collaborate with our fellow African carriers, and contribute meaningfully to the realisation of the Single African Air Transport Market.

“We look forward to working with AFRAA and its members to build a more integrated and competitive African aviation industry.”

United Nigeria Airlines is operating a diverse modern fleet of Boeing 737-800NG, Embraer 145, A-320, Embraer 190, and CRJ 900 jets. The airline currently serves 14 domestic routes, which include Abuja, Anambra, Asaba, Benin, Ekiti, Enugu, Ilorin, Kano, Lagos, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Warri, and Yenagoa, with plans to open four new ones this year.

United Nigeria Airlines also flies to Accra, Ghana’s capital, and has been designated by the Nigerian government to fly to the USA, Canada, UAE, UK, Italy, Turkey, and other regional and continental routes, with more destinations expected.

As a full member, United Nigeria Airlines joins a network of over 40 member airlines across the continent. The airline joins a membership that collectively represents more than 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.