Nigeria: Govt Designates United Nigeria Airlines to Fly U.S., UK, 4 Others

United Nigeria Airlines, one of the leading airlines in the country, has received approval for operation of international flights.

The airline secured approval to operate international flights to the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Netherlands, Italy, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The approval was contained in a letter dated September 8, 2023 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and signed by the Director, Air Transport Management, Mr H. T. Ejiburu, on behalf of the minister, Mr Festus Keyamo.

According to the letter addressed to United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, the approval was in line with the subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) between Nigeria and each of the countries.

The letter reads: “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 2nd August 2023 on the above subject and convey the Honourable Minister’s approval for the designation of Messrs United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited to operate international flight operations to the undermentioned countries and cities: Netherlands (Amsterdam), Italy (Rome), United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Dubai), United Kingdom (London), United States of America (USA) (Houston) and Ireland (Dublin).

“The designation of Messrs United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited is in line with the subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the governments of the six mentioned countries.

“Consequently, the airline is hereby advised to liaise with the civil aviation authorities of the aforementioned countries for documentation before the commencement of scheduled flight operations. However, 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.”