United Nigeria Airlines boosts festive season flights and explains December fare surge
United Nigeria Airlines is preparing for the 2026 festive season by expanding its fleet and increasing flight frequencies, especially on high-demand routes to the South-East and South-South. According to Chief Commercial Officer Adedayo Olawuyi, the airline will deploy larger aircraft with up to 180 seats and operate as many as four daily flights on routes such as Enugu and Anambra. This move is in response to strong forward bookings and the expected surge in passenger numbers as Nigerians travel home for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The airline’s capacity expansion is designed to meet the needs of leisure travellers, diaspora, students, and groups who make up the bulk of December traffic. Olawuyi explained that additional aircraft are expected to join the fleet before December, providing flexibility to adjust schedules and seat supply. On the Enugu route, for example, United Nigeria currently operates aircraft with 76 and 100 seats but may switch to 180-seat jets as demand rises. Some destinations could see up to three or four daily flights, depending on booking trends and passenger flows.
Despite the increase in capacity, airfares are expected to rise sharply during the festive period. Olawuyi highlighted the unique directional demand imbalance that drives up prices: flights from Lagos and Abuja to the East are nearly full, but return legs often operate with less than 10% seat occupancy. As a result, airlines must recover the cost of both legs from the outbound journey. He noted that a fare which might normally be N150,000–N160,000 one way could rise to around N300,000 in December. This pattern reverses in January, when return demand surges from the East back to the West.
Another factor affecting fares is the rising cost of aviation fuel (Jet A1). Olawuyi reported that airlines are now paying between N2,100 and N2,200 per litre, compared to lower rates last year. Despite these increases, United Nigeria’s network floor fare is now set at N120,000, with further seasonal adjustments expected on high-demand routes. He stressed that airlines have not been able to pass the full burden of higher operating costs to passengers, but the December peak will see unavoidable fare hikes.
To ensure operational reliability during the busy season, United Nigeria is strengthening its manpower at airports and building operational buffers with extra aircraft. Olawuyi explained that these measures will help the airline manage technical disruptions, such as bird strikes or mechanical faults, without leaving large numbers of passengers stranded. The airline is also reinforcing its ground teams to handle increased baggage and passenger flows, aiming to minimise delays and cancellations during the festive rush.
On passenger relations, Olawuyi confirmed that United Nigeria is fully committed to Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations regarding passenger protection. This includes providing refreshments and meals during delays, accommodation for qualifying cancellations, and refunds where required. He identified a challenge with travel agent bookings, where agents sometimes enter their own contact details instead of the passenger’s, making direct communication difficult during disruptions. The airline is engaging agents to ensure correct contact information is supplied and that passengers receive timely updates.
United Nigeria also maintains interline and passenger protection arrangements with other carriers, allowing it to assist affected travellers when operational issues arise. Olawuyi emphasised that effective communication is in the airline’s interest, as informed passengers can make alternative arrangements more easily. He encouraged agencies to update client contact details and promptly relay any schedule changes or disruption notices received from the airline.
Beyond internal preparations, United Nigeria has been working with airport operators such as Bi-Courtney and other private airport managers to ensure that baggage conveyor belts and carousels are ready for the festive surge. Olawuyi said the airline is satisfied with the level of readiness communicated by airport authorities so far. He also highlighted the annual harmattan season as a challenge, with reduced visibility affecting flight schedules at some airports. The airline is adjusting its operations to avoid very early morning flights at affected airports, though limited operating hours may make it difficult to completely avoid weather-related disruptions.
On the regional front, United Nigeria Airlines is marking the one-year anniversary of its Accra, Ghana route in November 2026. Olawuyi revealed that the airline plans to announce additional regional destinations in 2027 as part of its broader growth strategy. This expansion aims to serve the growing demand for regional connectivity from Nigeria and to position the airline as a key player in West African air travel. Agencies should monitor for new route announcements and prepare to advise clients on emerging regional options.
Background figures from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) show that domestic passenger movements reached 15,886,958 in 2023, up from 12,744,484 in 2022. Nigeria currently has 12 active scheduled domestic airlines with valid Air Operator Certificates as of June 2024. December remains the peak month for domestic air travel, with South-East airports such as Enugu, Owerri, and Asaba recording their highest monthly passenger numbers. This pattern is mirrored in other African markets: in South Africa, for example, domestic airfares rise by 20–40% in December due to similar demand surges and limited return traffic.
Looking ahead, United Nigeria’s festive season preparations may set a new standard for capacity management and passenger care in the Nigerian market. Open questions remain about the exact timing of new aircraft deliveries, the final schedule of additional flights, and how quickly airport infrastructure can adapt to the seasonal spike. Agencies should stay in close contact with the airline and airport operators for updates, especially regarding ticketing deadlines, fare changes, and operational advisories. The outlook is for continued growth in domestic and regional air travel, with United Nigeria positioning itself to capture a larger share of the market through reliable service and expanded connectivity.
Sources: Primary material supplied by editor, interview with United Nigeria Airlines CCO, November 2026; background: FAAN, statistics, 2024; NCAA, AOC list, 2024; ACSA, statistics, 2024; SAtrends, 2024.
