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

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 disclosed the timeline during an interview on Channels Television, stating that the airline's expansion decisions are driven strictly by passenger traffic data and commercial viability. "We don't fly for fun. We have our loans," he said. "We're expecting more equipment in July. The first piece of equipment is coming in July and the second one will come in October for that trip. So any time from July, we should be ready to do summer flights."

The CEO noted that the airline is simultaneously expanding its workforce to support the planned long-haul operations. "We are also increasing our human capital capacity. We are employing more people to strengthen our base. There's a lot of work going on."

Okonkwo expressed hope for improvements in airport infrastructure nationwide, describing it as essential for security, landing operations, baggage handling, and passenger welfare. He also addressed the recurring problem of bird strikes, revealing that the airline has recorded six such incidents since January, with two aircraft currently grounded as a result. Last year, the carrier experienced 52 bird strikes.

"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," Okonkwo said. He called for greater attention to wildlife management and environmental mitigation around airports, citing both the financial toll and safety implications.

On broader industry challenges, Okonkwo appealed for policy interventions that would grant domestic airlines access to single-digit interest loans. He contrasted Nigerian operators' financing conditions with those of international legacy carriers, which secure loans at two to three percent over extended repayment periods.

"Through Nigerian banks, though no fault of theirs because it is within the regulations, we get loans at an average of 30 percent, which is huge," he said. "We don't want free money; we want access to single-digit rates. And we would also like proper investment in airport infrastructure."

Okonkwo maintained that most domestic airline operators are committed to national development and operate under difficult conditions out of patriotism rather than purely commercial motives. "We are noble operators who are committed and very patriotic and are not in this just for the money, but also to contribute to national growth," he said.