United Nigeria Airlines Expands Capacity with E190, A320

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) is set to enhance its domestic flight capacity by wet-leasing an Embraer E190 and an Airbus A320-200, aiming to bolster services during the upcoming IATA Northern winter season. This strategic move is part of UNA’s effort to improve operational efficiency and cater to the growing demand for air travel within Nigeria.

The E190 will be sourced from Marathon Airlines on a one-year wet-lease agreement starting November 1, 2024. Marathon Airlines, a Greek ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and charter specialist, has indicated plans to expand its contract with United Nigeria Airlines by adding two additional aircraft to the existing arrangement. The A320-200 will be acquired from Bulgaria’s Fly2Sky under a recurring ACMI agreement, operating from November 2024 through March 31, 2025.

The Embraer E190, with tail number SX-PTM (msn 19000163), is currently 16.51 years old and configured to accommodate 98 passengers in an all-economy layout. It was recently ferried from Warsaw Chopin Airport to Athens on October 24, 2024. As of October 29, data from Flightradar24 indicates that the aircraft has yet to be transferred to West Africa for United Nigeria Airlines’ operations.

Fly2Sky operates a fleet that includes seven A320-200s and two A321-200s, providing ACMI services to several notable airlines, including Wizz Air, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Air Serbia, and Air Algérie. This partnership will enable United Nigeria Airlines to leverage Fly2Sky’s experience in the ACMI market and enhance its service offerings.

Currently, United Nigeria Airlines operates domestic flights to nine destinations across Nigeria with a fleet comprising four Embraer E145 aircraft, of which two are currently inactive. This latest capacity addition comes after a previous wet-lease of an A320-200 from Jordan Aviation, which was utilized for domestic flights from December 2023 until April 2024.

The introduction of the E190 and A320-200 is expected to provide United Nigeria Airlines with the flexibility needed to accommodate increased passenger numbers, especially during peak travel seasons. This initiative aligns with the airline’s broader strategy to improve its operational capacity and enhance customer experience through modern aircraft.

In addition to its collaboration with United Nigeria Airlines, Marathon Airlines is also expanding its existing wet-lease partnership with Camair-Co, the national airline of Cameroon. This agreement includes the addition of an Embraer E175 to the Camair-Co operation, which currently operates domestic flights using an E195 leased from Marathon. This contract is set to run until December 2026, further solidifying Marathon’s position in the regional aviation market.

With the wet-lease agreements for the E190 and A320-200, United Nigeria Airlines is poised to strengthen its foothold in the domestic aviation sector. By enhancing its fleet capabilities, UNA aims to provide reliable and efficient air travel services, meeting the increasing demand for domestic flights across Nigeria. This strategic expansion is a crucial step in ensuring United Nigeria Airlines remains competitive in the evolving aviation landscape.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com