United Nigeria Airline Targets Direct New York Flights Before October, CEO Okonkwo Reveals

The Chief Executive Officer of United Nigeria Airline, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has announced that the carrier will commence direct flight operations from Nigeria to New York before October this year, with the first long-haul aircraft expected to arrive in July.

Okonkwo made the disclosure during a recent interview on Channels Television, stating that the airline’s route expansion decisions are driven strictly by passenger traffic data and commercial viability.

“We are planning to fly to New York. We are looking at the numbers because we do not fly for fun. We have our loans,” Okonkwo said. He confirmed that the airline expects delivery of its first wide-body equipment in July, with a second aircraft scheduled to arrive in October. “Any time from July, we should be ready to do summer flights. We are working on it.”

The CEO noted that the airline is simultaneously expanding its human capital capacity, recruiting additional personnel to strengthen operational readiness ahead of the transatlantic launch. “There is a lot of work going on. That is why we do not need this distraction from the market,” he added.

Okonkwo expressed hope for improvements in airport infrastructure nationwide, describing it as essential for security, landing operations, baggage handling, and passenger welfare. “I am hoping that infrastructure development within the aviation sector will also get a facelift. Something must be done about the infrastructure. It is key,” he said.

Addressing the recurring challenge of bird strikes, Okonkwo disclosed that United Nigeria Airline has recorded six such incidents since January, with two aircraft currently grounded for repairs as a result. He noted that the airline experienced 52 bird strikes throughout the previous year.

“When that happens, it disrupts your schedule and your operations, and it costs you maintenance money. At the end of the day, we still pay what is due to all the agencies responsible for that,” he said. “We are in Nigeria; we can only operate from here. We just have to continue moving forward and hoping that it will get better soon.”

He called for greater attention to wildlife management and environmental mitigation around airports to reduce the frequency and financial impact of bird strikes. “Clearly, when maintenance is not readily attainable here on the ground, safety is also very key,” he added.

Okonkwo also highlighted the structural financing disadvantages confronting Nigerian carriers. He argued that while aviation is a deregulated sector, domestic operators require access to single-digit interest loans to compete effectively with international legacy carriers.

“All over the world, our competitors get their loans at two to three percent, sometimes for 20 years. But we, through Nigerian banks, though no fault of theirs because it is within the regulations, cannot lend at that low-interest level because of the monetary policy rate. We get loans at an average of 30 percent, which is huge,” he explained.

He clarified that domestic airlines are not seeking free capital but rather equitable access to affordable financing. “We do not want free money; we want access to single-digit rates. And we would also like proper investment in airport infrastructure,” Okonkwo said.

The CEO emphasised that most domestic operators are committed and patriotic stakeholders whose investments contribute meaningfully to national economic growth despite the challenging operating environment.