United Nigeria Airlines Plans 11 Aircraft Expansion

Nigeria is set to play a bigger role in the global aircraft acquisition and leasing market, as local airlines and state governments conclude plans for new fleet expansions.

Carriers including United Nigeria Airlines, Air Peace, Enugu Air/Xejet Airlines, ValueJets, Ibom Air, Edo Air, Eko Air, Gateway Airlines, Pioneer Airlines, and Binani Air are in talks with aircraft lessors and manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and Bombardier.

Industry sources say dozens of airplanes are expected to arrive in Nigeria over the next few years, with cargo operators also negotiating acquisitions to strengthen the country’s air freight value chain.

Six North-East states — Bauchi, Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Taraba — are firming up discussions to procure aircraft for a proposed regional airline, while Edo, Delta, and Ekiti are exploring similar ventures.

United Nigeria Airlines Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, confirmed plans to acquire 11 additional aircraft as part of a strategy to expand routes and strengthen market dominance.

New entrants such as K-Impex Airlines are also preparing to boost operations with fresh equipment, supported by investor confidence in the Tinubu administration’s aviation policies.

FlinchGlow Holdings Group MD, Bankole Bernard, said global aviation should “watch out for Nigeria” as more players set footprints in the business. Cargo operators are expected to deepen participation with new acquisitions.

Nigeria’s removal from the global blacklist in 2025, following ratification of the Cape Town Convention Practice, has further eased leasing deals by protecting lessors’ rights to repossess aircraft in cases of default, paving the way for increased investment.