United Nigeria Airlines is aiming to launch nonstop flights to the U.S. this year, a significant expansion for a carrier that currently flies only within West Africa.
At a recent press conference, Chairman Obiora Okonkwo said the private airline will add destinations in the U.S., continental Europe, the U.K., and the Middle East by the summer, according to a report from ch-aviation.
“By the end of the second quarter of 2026, United Nigeria Airlines will fly direct to New York,” he said.
It was not clear which New York-area airport United Nigeria is planning to serve.
The carrier is also working to set up routes to Rome, Dubai, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Okonkwo said. Regional routes to Dakar, Monrovia, Liberia, and Johannesburg are also under consideration.
Currently, United Nigeria flies within Nigeria and to Accra, Ghana.
The airline is building up its fleet of longer-range aircraft to support the planned routes. It recently acquired six Boeing 737-800 Next Gen aircraft from Southwest and is in talks for three more of the same type, ch-aviation reported. United Nigeria is also leasing two Airbus A330s from Air Anka.
Previously, the carrier operated only Embraer ERJ 145s.
Okonkwo also said that, within three to five years, United Nigeria will be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
