Travel & Business News

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) recently distributed Samsung Galaxy smartphones to selected passengers on Monday, June 1, 2026, as part of its ongoing “Awesome Row” collaboration with Samsung. The carrier, one of Nigeria’s leading domestic operators, executed the activation across Lagos–Abuja and Abuja–Lagos sectors, targeting enhanced customer experience through onboard engagement. Three travelers, Hamid Ibrahim, Chidi Chinedu, and Gbenga Bello, were identified as recipients via an in-flight randomized selection conducted during the flights. Passengers on the affected rotations were also granted exclusive hands-on access to the new Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37 devices, with additional winners emerging from the live product demonstration. Dayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer of UNA commented on the initiative’s execution and strategic intent: “At United Nigeria Airlines, we fly to unite. Every route we operate, every flight we run, is about bringing Nigerians together, whethe...

Air Peace has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft, registration 5N-CGD, as part of its ongoing fleet renewal and capacity expansion program for high-demand domestic and regional routes. The aircraft arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on May 24, 2026. Configured in an all-economy layout with 189 seats, the 737-800 NG introduces additional lift for point-to-point operations across West and Central Africa. The variant’s combination of CFM56-7B engines, advanced avionics, and aerodynamic refinements delivers improved fuel burn per seat-mile compared to earlier generation narrowbodies, supporting lower unit costs and reduced CO₂ output per passenger. Operationally, the aircraft’s 5,500 km range and short-field performance provide scheduling flexibility for frequency increases and route optimization on sectors where load factors and turnaround times are critical. Features such as expanded overhead bins, modern cabin systems, and updated flig...

Air Peace commenced scheduled commercial operations between Lagos and Barbados on May 24, 2026, establishing the first direct air link between West Africa and the Caribbean operated by a sub-Saharan carrier. The inaugural rotation was flown on a Boeing 777-300ER, departing Murtala Muhammed International Airport with 284 passengers onboard. The route launch addresses a structural gap in intercontinental connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean, where travelers have historically relied on multi-segment itineraries via Europe, the Middle East, or North America. Those routings typically introduce extended layovers, additional transit visa requirements, and increased total journey time. Air Peace notes that the present nonstop service eliminates those intermediate stops, reducing block time and simplifying immigration and customs processing for origin-destination traffic. The inaugural manifest included the airline's Chief Commercial Officer Nowel Ngala, Barbados High C...

Kemi Leke-Bamtefa is South African Airways' (SAA) Country Manager for Nigeria. A prolific marketer, she is one of the most impactful women in Nigeria's aviation landscape, with airline executive experience of over two decades in sales management, marketing, governance and strategic planning. Her qualifications in sales and marketing coupled with her many years of experience made her a perfect fit for her current role as Country Manager for SAA in Nigeria, where she is responsible for the airline's operations.   An alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School in Nigeria, Leke-Bamtefa furthered her education in Advanced Sales Management at the University of Cape town, South Africa; after which she joined South African Airways in 2007 as Head of Sales and Marketing, responsible for growing the airline's market share in Nigeria. In September 2010, Kemi's stellar performance led to her appointment as the Regional Marketing Specialist for North West and Ce...

In observance of 2026 World Malaria Day, Ibom Air has executed a strategic handover of antimalarial pharmaceuticals to the State Malaria Elimination Programme, operating under the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health. The intervention was delivered through the carrier’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform, FAMPact — Fight Against Malaria in Pregnant Women and Children Today. The consignment comprised 30,000 doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine, 10,000 doses of Lokmal DT, and 10,000 doses of Paracetamol DT, intended to bolster therapeutic capacity and mitigate the disease burden within vulnerable demographics. The pharmaceuticals were formally presented on Thursday, April 24, 2026, a day preceding the global commemoration, by Ibom Air Chief Executive Officer Mr. George Uriesi, accompanied by members of the airline’s executive management. The materials were received by Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, on behalf of the state gove...

Abia State University has conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) on Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, the largest carrier in West and Central Africa. The award, which constitutes Onyema’s fourth honorary doctorate, was presented during proceedings aligned with the institution’s 32nd Convocation Ceremony.  The conferment took place in the presence of a delegation of senior academic administrators and aviation executives. Attendees included Vice Chancellor Prof. Ndukwe J. Okeudo; Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman Dr. Agwu U. Agwu; and Registrar Dr. Acho Elendu, who were joined by members of the university’s leadership and Air Peace’s management cadre. Addressing the convocation, Onyema reiterated his steadfast dedication to educational advancement and national progress, stating: “One thing is certain, I believe in education. Without education, the country is dead and whatever we must do to encourage education, t...