Travel & Business News

Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, CEO, United Nigeria Airlines. United Nigeria Airlines has entered a 10-year sponsorship agreement with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) to fund the annual Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction. The carrier will disburse N2 million annually, totaling N20 million over the duration of the commitment. The agreement was disclosed by the airline’s Executive Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, following consultations with the President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr. Usman Akanbi. The partnership is designed to provide financial stability to the award, which was launched in 2021 by the Anambra State Government in collaboration with ANA.  According to the association, the long-term funding framework will ensure continuity of the prize irrespective of fluctuations in government subventions. The award encountered budgetary constraints in the past three (3) years after the current Anambra administration discontinued its financial support. According...

Daisy Barro, Associate Editor, Travel & Business News “Airborne already? Wow.”   That was the exact thought that flashed through my mind as I looked out the panoramic window. I hadn't felt the violent jolt or stomach-drop I always associated with helicopters in movies. In fact, I hadn't even realized our wheels had left the tarmac until the ground began to shrink beneath us. This was my very first time flying in a helicopter, and it was happening aboard the maiden flight of Africa’s first Airbus H160. On Thursday, July 2, 2026, I had the incredible privilege of being among the first to fly on the first-ever Airbus H160 deployed in Africa. Bristow Helicopters, the launch customer of the aircraft type on the continent, procured five of these helicopters. By the time of this flight, the airline had taken delivery of four of the vessels, and I flew aboard the one bearing the registration number 5N-CFN. To be quite honest, I did not know what to expect on this flight. I ...

(L-R): Mr. Javier Alija, Vice President, Global Sales & Distribution, Ethiad Airways; Mr. Christopher Isaiah, Group General Manager, Commercial, APG Nigeria; Mrs. Gloria Atumu, General Manager, APG Nigeria; Mr. Olufemi Adefope, APG Nigeria Group Chairman; Mr. Khaleefa Mohamed Al Hammadi, Regional General Manager, Sales, Digital and Distribution, Ethiad Airways. APG Global Associates Network Limited has been appointed General Sales Agent for Etihad Airways in Nigeria, marking a key development in the UAE carrier’s expansion strategy in West Africa. The appointment was formalized with the signing of a Letter of Intent at the Legend Hotel, Lagos on Friday, July 25, 2026. The agreement positions APG Nigeria, the Nigerian affiliate of APG Inc., as the commercial representative for Etihad in Africa’s largest aviation and business travel market. Executives from both organizations attended the ceremony. Representing Etihad Airways were Mr. Javier Alija, Vice President, Global S...

Air Peace has convened a Travel Agency Forum in Lagos to align with trade partners ahead of the August 1, 2026 inauguration of new regional services to Bamako, Conakry, Douala and Libreville.  As West and Central Africa’s largest carrier, the airline used the engagement to outline network expansion plans, commercial strategies, and operational support for agencies ahead of the route rollout. In his opening remarks, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Mr. Nowel Ngala, highlighted the strategic rationale for the new destinations, stating that the routes are designed to enhance intra-regional connectivity, stimulate trade and tourism, and generate additional yield for both passengers and distribution partners. He affirmed the carrier’s intent to maintain close collaboration with the agency community to ensure commercial uptake of the expanded network. Speaking on behalf of the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr. Yinka Folami, Vice Pres...

The Institute of Nigerian Aeronautical Engineers (INAE) has conferred its gold medal award on the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, citing the carrier’s commitment to safety, engineering capacity development, and sustained growth amid macroeconomic headwinds. The honour was presented by INAE National President, Dr. Ebitei Charles, during the Institute’s International Conference and Fellowship Conferment held in Lagos on Wednesday. The award is designated for individuals whose contributions have measurably advanced aeronautical engineering practice in Nigeria. INAE, a professional division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers regulated by COREN, noted that Okonkwo was recognised for steering UNA’s rapid expansion since commencing operations in February 2021, a period that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and a global economic downturn. Representing the Chairman at the ceremony were the airline’s Director of Continuing Airworthines...

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has commissioned the newly refurbished Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), describing the project as a critical component of the Federal Government’s infrastructure modernization program under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The event, held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at MAKIA in Kano, brought together senior government officials and aviation stakeholders. Attendees included the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's (FAAN) Governing Board Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi; Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure; and the Director of Air Transport Management, Mr. Ahmed Tijani. The domestic terminal has been named after Mallam M...

Kenya Airways (KQ) has entered a strategic brand partnership with Nigerian artist Yemi Alade as part of a wider push to deepen its footprint in West Africa and engage new customer demographics across the region. The alliance was unveiled by Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer of Kenya Airways. Thairu emphasized that the initiative aligns with the carrier’s objective to strengthen market penetration in West Africa and adjacent markets through targeted cultural and commercial alliances.  “This partnership underscores our focus on growing the KQ footprint in the region and beyond,” Thairu stated during the announcement. The move coincides with a capacity uplift on the carrier’s Nigeria route. Kenya Airways recently deployed the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on services to and from Lagos, increasing frequency to six weekly rotations. The wide-body aircraft offers expanded seat capacity and improved operating economics on the high-demand corridor, supporting the a...

Ms. Victory Yinka-Banjo, Grand Prize Winner, NTEC 2018 Nine (9) years after debuting on the National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC) platform, Ms. Victory Yinka-Banjo has achieved global academic recognition as the Overall Best Candidate in the World in the Cambridge English Examination. The Princeton High School, Lagos graduate is currently a PhD candidate at Cornell Medicine’s Tri-Institutional Computational Biology & Medicine program in the United States.  The milestone underscores the multiplier effect of structured talent-identification initiatives within Nigeria’s aviation and education value chain. Yinka-Banjo’s recent Cambridge performance generated full-tuition scholarship offers exceeding $5 million from 19 institutions across the United States and Canada, including MIT, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Johns Hopkins and the University of Virginia. She was earlier nationally distinguished for obtaining nine consecutive A grades in the West Africa...

(L - R) Mr. James Nganga, Kenya Airways Country Manager; His Excellency, Mr. Isaac Keen Parashina, Kenyan Ambassador to Nigeria; Mrs. Pauline Ngatia, Director, Public Relationship & Partnership, and Mr. Khurram Jamal, Chief Operating Officer, both of Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya Airways (KQ) has restated its strategic focus on Nigeria, announcing increased flight frequencies, network expansion plans, and deeper collaboration with travel trade partners to drive traffic between Nigeria, Kenya and connecting points across Africa and beyond via its Nairobi hub. Speaking at a trade partner appreciation dinner in Lagos, Country Manager Mr. James Nganga said the carrier was intensifying connectivity from Lagos while also positioning Kenya for business, leisure and medical travel: “We are enhancing our connectivity out of Lagos. We are also supporting more business into Kenya because we feel there are a lot of opportunities. We are promoting Kenya as a ho...

Flight dispatchers were positioned as safety-critical operational control professionals at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN), where regulators, industry leaders and technical experts called for full implementation of ICAO standards, competency-based training, and structural reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation safety framework. Held on July 15, 2026 at the NCAA Annex Training Hall, Lagos, under the theme, "Safety and Efficiency: The Flight Dispatcher’s Role", the conference convened the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), airlines, Approved Aviation Training Organizations (AATOs), airport operators, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other aviation stakeholders. In his welcome address, FLIDAN President, Daniel Ayuba, spoke about the elevated role of flight dispatchers and how this affects safety: "It is my great honour and priv...

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) convened its 198th Executive Committee Meeting on Saturday, 11th July 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya, under the chairmanship of Capt. George Kamal, acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways. The session focused on strategic actions and policy advocacy initiatives designed to further AFRAA’s mandate and to advance the commercial and operational interests of its member airlines across the continent. The Executive Committee comprises the Chief Executive Officers of the following carriers: Tunisair, serving as 1st Vice Chairperson; RwandAir, serving as 2nd Vice Chairperson; and Ethiopian Airlines, EGYPTAIR, TAAG - Linhas Aéreas de Angola, Air Tanzania Company Limited, Royal Air Maroc, Congo Airways, ASKY Airlines, LAM Mozambique and Fly Gabon. In accordance with AFRAA’s governance framework, the primary responsibility of the Executive Committee is to oversee and direct the affairs of the Association. This includes the formulation an...

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has inaugurated passenger operations to Mauritius, effective 12 July 2026, marking a further expansion of the carrier’s intra-African route network.  The new service will operate three times weekly, linking Port Louis to ET’s primary hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. The addition provides Mauritius with direct access to the airline’s extensive global connectivity through Addis Ababa, enabling onward travel to destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Mauritius, recognized for its established tourism sector, cultural assets and expanding economy, represents a strategic addition to the airline’s African footprint. The direct air link is projected to improve passenger convenience and to support increased trade flows, tourism activity, and bilateral engagement between Ethiopia and Mauritius. Commenting on the new service, ET's Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, said: “Mauritius is a destin...

Air Peace Limited has taken delivery of a factory-new Embraer E175, the first of the type in the carrier’s fleet and the first brand-new E175 to enter service in Nigeria. The 88-seat regional jet, registered 5N-CGH, arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 20:32 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, following a ferry flight from Brazil after formal handover by manufacturer Embraer. The induction represents the latest phase of Air Peace’s fleet renewal program and supports its expansion across domestic, West and Central African, as well as international markets. As West and Central Africa’s largest carrier by network and capacity, Air Peace positioned the acquisition as part of a strategy to deploy younger, more fuel-efficient airframes to improve reliability, unit economics, and passenger experience. Configured in an all-economy 2-2 layout with 88 seats, the E175 eliminates middle seating and is optimized for short-to-medium-haul sectors. Cabin specifications includ...

Delta Air Lines has commenced operations of Phase 1 of its second Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), expanding its premium ground product in a key West Coast hub. The new facility, situated on the Mezzanine level of Terminal 2, encompasses 4,000 square feet with capacity for 75 guests. A subsequent Phase 2 renovation is slated for completion in 2028. Concurrent with the lounge activation, Delta will introduce an 11,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2, with an opening targeted for 2027. The additions increase the airline’s lounge portfolio to 60 locations globally, the largest network operated by a U.S.-based carrier. Megan Humphreys, Vice President of Delta Sky Club and Lounge Experience, linked the investment to the airline’s premium strategy and capacity planning: “This investment remains congruent to our strategy of elevating the premium experience both at LAX and across our global network. With demand for premium travel continuing to r...

(L - R) Mrs. Joy Ekeruche, Head Of Engineering, Bristow Helicopters; Capt. Wale Makinde, Principal Operations Inspector, NCAA; Mr. Samuel Obafemi Bajomo, SA Foreign Direct Investments & Capital Improvement Programs to the Honourable Minister Of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Engr. Suleman Akwuh, GM, AMO, NCAA; Mrs. Omeogu Esther, DGM Avsec, Head, Domestic Private Terminals & Hangars; Capt. Dapo Oyeleke, MD, Bristow Helicopters; Mrs. Claire Brugirard, Vice President & Regional Manager - MEA & APAC, Milestone; and Mr. Clement Falayi, Senior Manager, Operations & Service Delivery, Bristow Helicopters. Bristow Group has entered the Airbus H160 helicopter into commercial service in Nigeria, marking the first deployment of the medium-twin platform for offshore energy and rescue operations by the company and on the African continent. The formal induction took place on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Lagos before regulators, energy operators, and aviation indust...

Patrick Chidiebere David of Abiolu Comprehensive College, Igando - Lagos & pioneer beneficiary of the Steadfast Spirit Award of ₦30,000, receiving his prize from Mrs. Peace Jesulayomi Akinsulire (née Lawson), founder of the Steadfast Spirit Award. The Grand Finale of the 15th annual National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2026) and Air Transport Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) concluded 30 May 2026 at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, with the introduction of the Steadfast Spirit Award, a new recognition targeting consistency and resilience among student participants. Hosted by Travel & Business News, the event convened regulators, operators, educators, and emerging talent under the theme “Soaring Beyond Limits: Youth Innovation & Leadership in Aviation,” marking a 15-year continuum of structured capacity development for Nigeria’s aerospace sector. The Steadfast Spirit Award was instituted by Mrs. Peace Jesulayomi Akinsulire (née Lawson), NT...

Air Peace has obtained approval from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) to conduct scheduled international air services, a development that positions West Africa’s largest carrier to inaugurate direct connectivity between Nigeria and South America. The authorization, issued under ANAC Ordinance No. 19.449/2026, grants the airline rights to operate regular passenger, cargo, and mail transport between Brazil and points across its network, eliminating the multi-stop itineraries that currently extend Nigeria-Brazil journeys to nearly two (2) days. The ANAC clearance arrives amid Air Peace’s accelerated long-haul expansion program. The airline confirmed that applications for landing permits remain pending with Canadian and United States regulators for scheduled operations to Toronto and New York respectively. A statement by the carrier revealed that it is also finalizing preparations to reinstate services to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Guangzhou, China. In parallel, Ai...

Ibom Air commenced domestic flight handling from the newly inaugurated International Terminal at Victor Attah International Airport on Sunday, June 14, 2026, relocating all passenger processing, check-in, and boarding functions to the modernized facility. The operational shift to the upgraded infrastructure represents a key phase in the carrier’s expansion strategy and reinforces its focus on optimizing service delivery and terminal throughput. The state-of-the-art complex provides increased passenger handling capacity, refined check-in and boarding workflows, upgraded security systems, and elevated comfort standards for travelers. According to the airline, the transition is engineered to streamline ground operations, reduce congestion, and improve on-time performance metrics across its domestic network while supporting broader regional connectivity objectives for Akwa Ibom State. The Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi, addressed the development: “Today ...

Ibom Air has announced the transfer of all scheduled flight operations to the newly commissioned ultramodern terminal at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, effective Sunday June 14, 2026. The relocation applies to all departures, arrivals, check-in, and boarding activities currently managed from the existing facility. According to the airline, the new facility incorporates upgraded amenities intended to enhance traveler comfort while streamlining ground handling processes from check-in through boarding to post-flight arrival. The carrier stated that the transition aligns with its service delivery objectives and reflects continued investment in airport infrastructure to support on-time performance and customer experience metrics. Ibom Air advises passengers with bookings on or after June 14, 2026 to proceed directly to the new terminal for all flight-related activities, emphasizing that the move represents “another significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhanc...

L-R: Daisy Barro, Associate Editor, Travel & Business News; Oluwafemi Joshua Oluwaseyifunmi of Abesan Senior High School, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, 1st Prize winner in the secondary schools category; Mrs. Rita Geh, Assistant Comptroller General, Narcotics, NDLEA. The 15th Annual National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2026) and Air Transport Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) concluded its Grand Finale on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Organized by Travel & Business News, the event marked fifteen years of systematic talent identification and development for Nigeria’s aerospace sector. Convened under the theme “Soaring Beyond Limits: Youth Innovation & Leadership in Aviation,” the summit assembled students, academics, regulatory authorities, and industry operators to evaluate the strategic function of young professionals amid rapid technological disruption. Dr. Gbenga Olowo, Chairman of Sabre, Central & West A...