United Nigeria Airlines unveils bold Pan-African and intercontinental expansion
United Nigeria Airlines has stepped forward with a robust defence of its ticket pricing strategy while simultaneously announcing an ambitious expansion blueprint that could reshape its position within the African and global aviation landscape. The carrier's leadership maintains that despite a dramatic surge in aviation fuel costs, fares have not climbed in proportion to operating expenses, thanks largely to competitive pressures within Nigeria's domestic market.
Speaking on behalf of the airline, Chief Commercial Officer Adedayo Olawuyi revealed that aviation fuel prices, which stood at roughly ₦900 per litre late last year, have surged to between ₦1,600 and ₦1,700 per litre. Yet, despite this steep increase, ticket prices have remained largely shaped by market forces rather than passed wholesale onto passengers [[1]](https://businessday.ng/aviation/article/aviation-fuel-price-still-high-despite-reopening-of-strait-of-hormuz-cco-united-nigeria-airlines/) He observed that although domestic passenger traffic has generally softened due to broader economic pressures, United Nigeria Airlines has continued to grow by expanding capacity and gaining market share.
At present, the carrier serves 15 domestic destinations along with Accra in Ghana, operating 26 routes in total. Plans are now well advanced to widen its West African footprint by launching services to Monrovia, Banjul, Dakar, Abidjan and Conakry. Beyond these, the airline is eyeing Douala, Libreville and Johannesburg, before progressing into long-haul operations connecting Nigeria with the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Turkey, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. These intercontinental ambitions are expected to materialise within the next six to 24 months, subject to aircraft deliveries and regulatory clearances.
According to Olawuyi, this expansion will be powered by strategic partnerships including interline and code-share agreements with both domestic and international carriers, alongside selective aircraft leasing arrangements to accelerate momentum. He argued that stronger Nigerian airlines are essential to break the dominance of foreign carriers on international routes and that direct regional services would stimulate passenger demand, improve continental connectivity and ultimately drive down fares across West Africa, a message that resonates strongly with travel professionals across the region.
Nevertheless, the executive identified inadequate transit infrastructure at Nigerian airports as a critical hurdle to the country's ambition of becoming a true regional aviation hub. He called for urgent enhancements in passenger processing and connectivity facilities, while noting that Abuja and Uyo airports are emerging as potential hub candidates. He further positioned United Nigeria Airlines as Nigeria's second-largest carrier by passenger traffic and capacity, averaging between 120,000 and 130,000 passengers each month, with continued investment in workforce development, equipment and operational systems to sustain growth.
Olawuyi did not shy away from the difficulties facing the airline. Bird strikes have emerged as one of the carrier's most disruptive operational challenges, with four aircraft suffering such incidents on four consecutive days in May alone. The disruptions led to flight cancellations, costly repairs, passenger refunds and compensation. While he declined to disclose the specific financial impact, he confirmed that the airline continues to work closely with airport authorities to strengthen wildlife hazard management. The wider Nigerian aviation sector has also faced mounting strain from soaring jet fuel costs, with operators warning that passing the full burden onto passengers could undermine demand and overall industry viability
On the customer experience side, Olawuyi stressed that United Nigeria places transparent communication at the heart of its service philosophy, particularly during delays and cancellations. The airline keeps passengers informed through regular updates and offers compensation aligned with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority's consumer protection regulations. He acknowledged improvements in airport baggage handling but pointed to ongoing congestion at terminals, limited apron space and inadequate passenger facilities as continuing constraints, especially during peak morning travel windows.
For the African travel trade, United Nigeria Airlines' expansion plans signal a potentially transformative period for regional connectivity. If successfully executed, this growth trajectory could deliver more competitive fare options, deeper intra-African route choice and meaningful long-haul opportunities for both leisure and corporate travellers operating across the West African corridor and beyond.
