United Nigeria Talks Operations, Unveils Plans for the Future - By Daisy BARRO
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In a recent press conference, United Nigeria Airline, one of the new entrants in the Nigerian aviation industry discussed its operations and plans for the future. The press conference occurred today April 4, 2021 at the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Centre, Murtala Muhammed Airport Ikeja – Lagos.
United was represented by the crème de la crème of its hierarchy and included amongst others the airline’s Chairman, High Chief Obiorah Okonkwo; the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Engr. Mazi Okonkwo; the Director of Flight Operations (DFO), Capt. Chimara Imediegwu; the Director of Engineering and Maintenance, Engr. Alex Iheuwa; the Training Captain, Capt. Lawali Abubakar.
In his address, Chief Okonkwo described United Nigeria Airline as “the newest baby of the airline industry in Nigeria,” with a “strong vision of flying to unite.” He paid tribute to those who preceded them in the airline business, expressed overall satisfaction with the airline’s operations so far and foreshadowed the airline’s future:
“Our medium term plan is to consolidate our local flights as we target international flights. We are hoping to increase our air fleet within two to three months. By then, we’ll be considering a larger body aircraft. We are happy with the responses we have been getting from the flying public so far,” he said.
He went further to reveal that their choice of the Embraer ERJ-145LR was based on the aircraft’s fuel-saving capacity and passenger load, albeit its small luggage compartment.
According to the United Airline boss, discussions with FAAN are currently ongoing for the procurement of space to be used for the construction of the airline's own Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO) facility, which will be at the service of both the airline and the public.
As regards the airline’s operations, Engr. Okonkwo (COO) said, “We’ve been having about 3,200 passengers every week, and we want to achieve growth according to our resources and capabilities.” He also disclosed that the airline’s goal is to be “employee-invested” and “customer-centric.”
After an elaborate question and answer session, Capt. Imediegwu (DFO) ended the briefing with a note of thanks to the members of LAAC, reiterating one of the aims of United: “We are here to serve.”
It should be recalled that United Nigeria Airline received its AOC on February 1, 2021 and immediately commenced operations with a fleet of four Embraer ERJ-145LR aircraft. Its main destinations currently include Abuja, Asaba, Enugu, Owerri and Lagos.
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