United Nigeria gets FG’s approval for U.S., Europe flight operations

Alocal carrier, United Nigeria Airlines, has received approval for operation of international flights. By the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s approval, the airline will operate international flights to the United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Recall that the nation’s biggest domestic carrier, Air Peace, earlier got approval to operate some of those routes, which are still not used till date.
The ministry’s letter of approval dated September 8, 2023, and signed by the Director of Air Transport Management, H.T. Ejiburu, on behalf of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, stated that the approval was in line with subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and each of the countries.

The airline, in August 2023, requested approval to operate international flight operations to Netherlands (Amsterdam), Italy (Rome), United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Dubai), United Kingdom (London), United States of America (Houston) and Ireland (Dublin).

In granting the approval, the ministry advised United Nigeria “to liaise with the Civil Aviation Authorities of the aforementioned nations for documentation prior to commencement of scheduled flight operations”.

It added: “You are obliged to comply with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation (Nig. CARs (2023) Part 18.5.1.1 A-C by taking further steps to liaise with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in fulfilling the requirements if necessary.

“Kindly note that the approval has been communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its further necessary actions,” the letter read in part.
United Nigeria Airlines started flight operations in 2021 and operates flights in major Nigerian cities.

The airline had earlier obtained approval for regional flights based on which they are finalising arrangements to commence operations in a couple of weeks upon arrival of additional aircraft from middle of October.