…UNA celebrates Nigeria’s culture, heritage with unveiling of two new B737-800NG named after Chinua Achebe, Obi of Onitsha
From left: Dr Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace; Professor Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines; Dr Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State; HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha; Barrister Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; HRM Igwe Alex Uzor Onyibo, the Ezechuamagha 1 of Ogidi Kingdom and others during the United Nigeria Airlines unveiling of 2 Boeing 737-800NG named in honour of HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and Professor Chinua Achebe held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja Lagos on Thursday
Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines and spokesman for the umbrella body of airline owners in Nigeria, Airline Operators of Nigeria, (AON), Prof. Obiora Okonkwo has called for increased government collaboration through better policies that will boost smooth operations for local carriers.
He made this call on Thursday while reacting to a report by the International Air Transport Association of Nigeria (IATA) that identified Nigeria as one of most expensive country in which to operate an airline .
He was speaking during the official unveiling of two B738-800NG acquired by the airline.and named after HRM, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and literally icon, Chinua Achebe respectively.
IATA had cited high operational cost that continue to challenge the viability and growth of domestic airlines, saying that despite ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo to reform and improve the sector, airlines in the country still face significant cost pressures.
Okonkwo however urged government to retain the revenue collected in the aviation industry with the agencies rather than remit the funds into the federation account.
He said the agencies are underfunded, hence infrastructure deficit.
“We are not happy with the report from IATA that identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive country to operate an airline but we are hopeful that government will intervene.
“Until the revenue generated in the sector is retained with the agencies and regulator to improve infrastructure, the environment will remain same. The economy is driven by aviation and should be seen as a critical aspect of the economy. The over 70 percent revenue being remitted to federation account is against global aviation rules, the agencies are not revenue generating ones but cost recovery The money should be left with the agencies, once this policy and many others stunting the growth of airlines are reviewed, the sector will boom and airlines will be healthier.
“There are challenges and government needs to empathise with us. The challenges that sent bigger airlines out of business recently yet, Nigerian airlines are still standing, what we have witnessed in the last three months could have led us to closing shops, there are times we lose close to N10 billion in a month, yet we have to meet passengers demands, I am hopeful we will overcome
“Nigerian airlines are resilient. United Nigeria Airlines started with four aircraft, we have been flying passengers safely in the last 10 years, we are ready to serve you always but we encounter situations like bird strike, sunset airport situation that drain our finance, these situations are beyond our control sometimes, yet passengers want their services rendered on time. Operating an airline is the most difficult process but we have an understanding regulator that has made the process seamless.”, he said.
Okonkwo however expressed appreciation to government for some reforms the sector has witnessed so far saying such had paved the way and made it easier for airlines to now begin to acquire newer aircraft.
“About three years ago, the future of the sector was not clear, nobody would have dreamt of what we are witnessing today, but because we have a visionary minister who supervised the formulation of some of the right policies. We are very grateful for the massive reform we are enjoying but we will always ask for more”.
He said the airline will receive four more fully owned aircraft in the next coming months. He also announced that two wet lease aircraft will join the fleet by August, breaking the jinx of 15 years in the sector.
The UNA boss praised Zenith Bank and Bank of Industry for their partnership and belief in the the dream and growth of the airline and the sector as a whole.
He said one of the aircraft was named after late literary icon, Chinua Achebe for his iconic literary works that introduced Nigeria to the world while the other was in honour of HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, a living legend who earns the respect of a throne that has guided generations.
“He is unrepentant in his traditional ways, he is loved and admired by all. This is the first time in the history of Nigeria, that aircraft would be named after such icons”.
By honouring these icons with inscriptions of their names on two giant aircraft, United Nigeria Airlines shows that it celebrates Nigerian culture and heritage and not just operating a transportation business. The development shows that it has cultural depth and emotional connection to its people, while positioning itself as a narrator of Nigeria’s story and an airline of unity.
