The United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has unveiled plans for an aggressive regional and international expansion strategy. 

The airline said it aims to reduce foreign carriers’ dominance on routes serving Nigerian travellers. 

Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos. 

Mr Olawuyi said the airline would expand across West Africa, Central Africa and selected long-haul markets. 

He noted that the expansion would depend on aircraft deliveries and regulatory approvals. 

“The challenge in Nigerian aviation today is the dominance of foreign carriers,” Mr Olawuyi said. 

He attributed the situation to weak regional networks among Nigerian airlines.

According to him, many passengers travelling within Africa face unnecessary connections via foreign airlines.

He said travellers often transit through foreign hubs before reaching nearby African destinations. 

Mr Olawuyi cited Dakar-bound passengers who frequently connect through Lomé, Abidjan or Banjul. 

“We need flights. Why can’t a Nigerian carrier offer direct service from Lagos to Dakar?” he said. 

He said Nigerian airlines must compete directly by entering foreign markets.

He said the airline plans to launch services to Monrovia, Banjul, Dakar, Abidjan and Conakry. 

The carrier is also targeting Douala, Libreville and Johannesburg routes. 

Beyond Africa, the airline is considering the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Turkey. 

Dubai and Saudi Arabia are also among the destinations being considered. 

However, Mr Olawuyi identified airport infrastructure as a major challenge. 

He said that poor transit facilities were limiting Nigeria’s ambitions to become an aviation hub, adding that passengers connecting through Nigeria often face delays and immigration bottlenecks. 

“If you bring a passenger from Douala connecting to Johannesburg, they may need a visa,” he said.

Mr Olawuyi said such policies affect Nigeria’s ability to attract transit passengers. 

He referenced the success of aviation hubs in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

He said Nigeria could achieve similar benefits through improved facilities. The airline executive welcomed ongoing airport development projects across the country.

He expressed hope that new terminals would improve connectivity and passenger experience.

Mr Olawuyi revealed that the airline was assessing Abuja and Asaba as possible future hubs. 

He said domestic growth remained critical before major international expansion.

 “We are the second-largest airline by capacity and traffic in the country. Domestic expansion remains important because you need a strong backbone before going international,” he said.

He noted that partnerships would support the airline’s international growth plans, while interline and code-share agreements would support routes that require stronger commercial viability. 

He said fleet expansion would involve both owned and leased aircraft.

According to him, the airline will select aircraft options based on market conditions and operational needs. 

(NAN)