United Nigeria Airlines has announced an ambitious global route expansion that will connect Nigeria to major international cities including Dubai, New York, London, Rome, Jeddah, Accra and Dakar by mid-2026, in what industry observers describe as one of the most significant international growth plans by a Nigerian carrier in recent years.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, during a media briefing at the airline’s headquarters in Enugu. The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, stated that the expansion forms part of a strategic three-year development roadmap aimed at repositioning the carrier as a global player. He said the airline intends to begin phased operations between May and July 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and bilateral air service agreements.
According to Okonkwo, primary departure hubs will include Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, with Enugu also being developed as a regional gateway. He noted that the airline is in discussions with aviation authorities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ghana and Senegal to finalize traffic rights and slot allocations.
The new routes will link Nigeria directly to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, New York City in the United States, London in the United Kingdom, Rome in Italy, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Accra in Ghana and Dakar in Senegal.
Aviation analysts in Lagos say the New York and London routes are particularly strategic due to strong diaspora traffic between Nigeria and the United States and United Kingdom. The Jeddah route is expected to serve religious pilgrims traveling for Hajj and Umrah, while Dubai remains a major commercial hub for Nigerian traders and business executives. Rome, according to industry observers, strengthens Southern European connectivity, while Accra and Dakar consolidate West African regional integration under ECOWAS frameworks.
During the briefing, the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Capt. Mohammed Abdullahi, confirmed that fleet expansion plans are underway, including negotiations for additional wide-body aircraft capable of transatlantic and long-haul operations. Training programs for flight crews and engineers are being coordinated with aviation partners in Europe and the Middle East.
Officials from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority were present at the Enugu event, alongside representatives from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. Discussions reportedly covered infrastructure readiness at Lagos and Abuja airports, including runway capacity, passenger processing systems, and international terminal upgrades.
Industry stakeholders in Abuja note that successful implementation will depend heavily on securing favorable landing slots at high-traffic airports such as Heathrow in London and JFK in New York. Slot availability, ground handling arrangements and code-share partnerships will determine the commercial viability of the expansion.
If executed as scheduled by mid-2026, the move is expected to significantly expand Nigeria’s direct international connectivity, reduce reliance on foreign carriers, and strengthen the country’s position as a regional aviation hub in West Africa.
