Keyamo approves United Nigeria Airlines routes expansion, clearing New York, Canada and Dubai flights to boost Nigerian carriers’ global reach

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Thursday announced that the Federal Government has approved between four and five international routes for United Nigeria Airlines, including major destinations such as New York, Canada and Dubai, in a strategic move to expand the global footprint of Nigerian-owned carriers.

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Keyamo made the disclosure in Lagos during the unveiling of two newly acquired Boeing 737-800NG aircraft by the airline, describing the approvals as part of a broader policy drive aimed at strengthening indigenous participation in international air travel.

The minister said the new route allocations were designed to correct what he described as a long-standing imbalance in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where foreign airlines dominate outbound passenger traffic.

“We are giving United about four or five routes now. We are giving you New York. I think we are giving you New York. We are giving you Canada. We are giving you Dubai. We are giving you some very fruitful routes now,” Keyamo said.

He explained that the development aligns with government efforts to ensure Nigerian carriers secure a fair share of bilateral aviation rights, stressing that the domestic market remains a significant economic opportunity that should not be ceded almost entirely to foreign operators.

“If you look at the traffic in Nigeria, the passenger traffic, the air traffic, 90 per cent of the airlift from Nigeria to all parts of the world is not by our local carriers. Ninety per cent, even 95 per cent of our passengers flying out of this country to Saudi, to other parts of the world, that market is our market,” he said.

Keyamo added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is also supporting the sector through financial and structural reforms, including the establishment of a Nigerian aircraft leasing company aimed at improving access to aircraft acquisition for local airlines.

He noted that the approvals were part of a longer policy journey that involved extensive consultations with stakeholders and resolution of multiple legal disputes within the aviation sector.

“It took about two and a half years for us to begin to reap the fruits of the policy direction that we laid down. For the first few months, we did nothing but listen to them. One by one, all the sectors and all the various issues in aviation, we took them one by one,” he said.

The minister also revealed that the Federal Government is partnering with Abia State on the development of an international airport, which is expected to serve as a future operational hub for United Nigeria Airlines.

He added that the Enugu International Airport is being positioned as a cargo hub under the same aviation development framework.

Keyamo further argued that Nigeria’s aviation future lies in empowering private carriers rather than reviving a state-owned national airline, citing past failures such as Nigeria Airways as evidence of the risks of excessive government control.

He contrasted that with successful models like Ethiopian Airlines, which operates with relative autonomy despite state ownership, and cited global carriers such as Lufthansa and British Airways as examples of fully commercialised airlines that thrive without direct government control.

The minister also acknowledged operational challenges faced by Nigerian airlines, including flight delays and cancellations, but said the government prefers engagement and support over public criticism.

“I would rather complain and find out their problems and assist them to grow. It is not their pleasure to cancel flights. It affects their businesses,” he said.

Representatives of Boeing and Zenith Bank also praised the developments at the event, describing the aircraft acquisition and sector reforms as significant milestones for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Moore Ibekwe, representing Boeing, said the reforms introduced since 2023 were beginning to improve access to aircraft financing, technical capacity, safety standards and regulatory efficiency.

“The aircraft you see behind me represent tremendous opportunities for Nigeria… Over the next 20 years, Africa is expected to require approximately 1,200 new aircraft. Nigeria should be a major beneficiary of that growth,” he said.

The aircraft unveiled during the ceremony were named after prominent Nigerian figures, including His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and the late Professor Chinua Achebe, in recognition of their cultural and leadership legacies.

A representative of Zenith Bank Group Managing Director, Dr Adaora Umeoji, described the naming as symbolic, noting that it reflected values of leadership, excellence and national development.

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The latest approvals mark a significant step in the government’s aviation reform agenda, which aims to increase the competitiveness of Nigerian carriers while expanding international connectivity and boosting economic activity through improved air transport infrastructure.