Guinea-Bissau Partners with United Nigeria Airlines to Create Flag Carrier Air Bissau

Guinea-Bissau has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s United Nigeria Airlines to launch a new national carrier, AIR BISSAU, as part of efforts to strengthen its aviation sector and lessen reliance on foreign operators.

The agreement was signed in Bissau by Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Dr. Florentino Pereira, and the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo. A statement issued by the airline on Sunday confirmed the deal.

Under the MoU, both parties will pursue a comprehensive cooperation framework to establish a fully operational national airline, with Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau serving as its hub and operational base for initial routes. Guinea-Bissau has for decades depended largely on regional carriers and charter services for international connectivity.

Central to the arrangement is the formation of a joint venture company in which United Nigeria Airlines will provide the bulk of the financial investment, operational expertise, aircraft, and management. The Nigerian carrier will also supply and operate an executive jet for the use of Guinea-Bissau’s President and government.

The government of Guinea-Bissau has committed to facilitating the registration and licensing of the new airline in accordance with domestic laws and to streamlining authorization processes through the civil aviation authorities of both Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria. It will designate AIR BISSAU as its official national carrier, conferring full rights under all existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement entitlements. This designation is expected to give the airline significant leverage in securing route rights and operating authorizations to regional and international markets, seen as an important commercial and diplomatic advantage.

Guinea-Bissau further pledged to provide the necessary infrastructure support at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, including access provisions, ground services, and assistance with customs, immigration, and security compliance. The government will also invest in the airline’s establishment and create protective mechanisms and incentives through its existing Investment Code and applicable tax frameworks.

As part of human capital development, United Nigeria Airlines plans to train qualified Guinean nationals—including pilots, cabin crew, and technical maintenance personnel—and to employ local staff wherever feasible, consistent with government employment policies.

Operational control of the new airline will remain with United Nigeria Airlines. The statement noted that for safety, reliability, and efficiency, overall management, operational control, and general direction will rest with the Nigerian carrier’s management team. Both sides also agreed to maintain full liability and hull insurance coverage for all flight operations, conduct annual independent safety and maintenance audits, and establish asset protection mechanisms for investors. The MoU takes immediate effect and will remain valid for 18 months or until a substantive joint venture agreement is finalized.

The development unfolds against the backdrop of Nigeria’s own prolonged inability to establish a national carrier, despite repeated industry calls for one to secure reciprocal flight rights—particularly to the United States. A previous attempt to create a Nigerian national airline through a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines collapsed after lawsuits filed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria, an association for which Professor Okonkwo once served as spokesperson. That project was also dogged by political complications, fraud allegations, and disputes over its ownership structure.