United Nigeria Plans Acquisition Of 12 New Aircraft In 24 Months

United Nigeria Airlines, on Sunday, disclosed that the airline will acquire 12 new aircraft to boost its national and regional operation.

In a press statement by the head, Corporate Communication, Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, he explained that two Embraer-190 aircraft, will be delivered by the fourth quarter of the year 2023 while 10 brand new Embraer-175 aircraft would be delivered in batches within 24 months afterwards.

According to him, the increase in fleet seize would help to increase its fleet size and expand operations to more cities across Nigeria and the African region.

Commenting on the expansion plan, chief operating officer (COO) of the airline, Mazi Osita Okonkwo, said United Nigeria Airlines is not relenting in its effort to sustain its presence in the aviation sector and further serve Nigerians better.

He said: “We are desirous of expanding our operations. So, the acquisition of more aircraft is in accord with our business development and growth plan. We are bringing in Embrarer-190 aircraft. We expect them to be in Nigeria by the end of the fourth quarter of year 2023.

“We are also expecting another set of aircraft thereafter – 10 brand new Embraer-17. These will help us increase our capacity for national and regional operations also.

He disclosed that arrangements are in top gear for operations to Ghana, Angola, South Africa, Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal among other African countries.

The airlines, which started operations in February 2021, with four Embraer-145 aircraft effectively services nine cities in the country, with plans to connect more Nigerian cities within the 2023 fiscal year.

IOSA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security, Mr. Nick Careen, said in his message that: “IATA is proud to recognize that United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited has been successfully registered as an IOSA Operator under the IATA Operational Safety Audit Programme (IOSA), in accordance with the provisions of the IOSA Program Manual.”