…Promises daily flights as Oyebanji targets 24-hour airport operations

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) says it plans to commence cargo operations at Ekiti Airport in January 2027, with daily passenger flights to the state also expected to begin soon.

 

The airline’s Executive Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, disclosed this on Monday at the commissioning of the Reeve Energy Limited aviation fuel tank farm facility at the airport.

Okonkwo said the cargo operations would enable businesses in Ekiti to transport goods to other parts of Nigeria and international destinations, supporting the state’s agricultural and commercial activities.

He assured Governor Biodun Oyebanji that the airline would be ready to lift commercial cargo from the airport as soon as the state was prepared to commence shipments.

“Let me promise you, His Excellency, for your own sake, I am going to make sure that by January next year, we activate a cargo section of our flights, so that we can work out a deal.

“As soon as you are ready to start exporting cargo from here, whether it’s to other parts of Nigeria or London, if you have cargo by January, we will be the first to lift your commercial cargo,” he said.

The UNA chairman also announced plans to commence daily passenger flights to and from Ekiti, although he did not specify a commencement date.

Okonkwo said United Nigeria Airlines was the country’s second-largest consumer of aviation fuel after Air Peace, noting that the new tank farm would support its operations and ensure a steady supply of fuel at the airport.

He attributed the airline’s entry into Ekiti to the state government’s due diligence, saying the government approached the airline after assessing its operational capacity and fleet.

According to him, the airline did not lobby for the partnership or pay a bribe to secure the opportunity.

He added that United Nigeria Airlines had demonstrated its commitment to the partnership by accepting reduced passenger loads on some flights during periods of low demand, carrying 40 passengers instead of 50.

Okonkwo described the decision as a sacrifice made in confidence in the state government’s commitment to developing air transport in Ekiti.

Meanwhile, Governor Oyebanji said the state government was working to complete key airport infrastructure upgrades by the end of 2026, paving the way for round-the-clock operations.

The governor identified the upgrade of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the ongoing Aerodrome Ground Lighting project as critical components of the plan.

He said the ground lighting project was costing more than N10 billion and would enable aircraft to land at the airport at any time, subject to operational and safety requirements.

“By the time we finish what we are doing with the airport by the end of the year, by God’s grace, we should be able to complete the upgrade of the ILS that has been certified.

“The project we are doing now is what they call in aviation the Aerodrome Ground Lighting.

‘That project is costing us more than N10 billion, so by the time we finish that, at least we’ll be able to have 24-hour operations at the airport. This means aircraft can land at any time,” he said.

Oyebanji added that the government was pursuing an independent power producer (IPP) arrangement to make the airport self-sufficient in electricity supply.

He said the initiative would reduce dependence on external power sources and support the airport’s planned expansion of operations.

The governor commended Reeve Energy Limited for investing in the state and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting private investors.

The planned cargo services, daily passenger flights and round-the-clock airport operations are expected to strengthen Ekiti’s connectivity and improve access to markets for businesses, particularly those involved in agriculture and other cargo-generating activities.