United Nigeria Unveils Two Aircraft Named After Achebe Decries N10bn Industry Loss
The United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), has unveiled two newly acquired Boeing 737-800NG aircraft named after the late literature icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe and Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha.
The aircrafts were unveiled at a ceremony held in Lagos on June 18.
Chief Obiora Okonkwo, the Executive Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines who spoke at the events said the naming the aircraft after the two respected personalities was a celebration of Nigeria’s rich culture and heritage.
Okonkwo said both aircraft carry the Achebe name for reasons close to the airline’s own history.
Okonkwo, who called for a moment of silence in honour of the late literary icon whom he described as one of the pioneers who first introduced Africa to the wider world through literature and as a relation from his hometown of Ogidi.
He said Igwe Achebe who was present at the event carried the wisdom of a traditional throne that had guided generations.
”His Royal Majesty is an elder statesman, a respected leader, hardworking and humble in his ways, deeply traditional, and loved and admired by the public.
“For the first time in Nigeria, we have aircraft bearing these particular names that carry real significance, and that came to Nigeria only after a great deal of sacrifice, hope, and effort to give our nation a better direction in aviation,” he said
The Executive Chairman said both aircraft were the first delivery from an original order of six and assured that four more were still being expected.
Okonkwo said operating in Nigeria’s aviation sector had not been easy as the country had been placed under blockade and that no international leasing or financing company wanted to deal with Nigeria it
He however said the country recently struggled to attract international financing for new aircraft.
“The turnaround is attributable to the current aviation minister, whose visit to Boeing three years ago helped reopen access for Nigerian carriers,” he said.
“I will not pretend that the industry is not facing real challenges right now due to the Middle East war.
“In the last three months alone, Nigerian airlines collectively have absorbed enormous losses, some carriers losing close to N10 billion.
“Do not be surprised when fares go up slightly going forward because we have real losses to recover from,” he said.
On the issue of disruptions, Okonkwo pleaded to understand that the airline reworked flight schedules rather than cancel them outrightly when aircraft developed technical issues.
He cited an incident in which more than 100 passengers were stranded in Kano after a technical fault required engineers to fly an empty jet to the city to inspect and certify it before it could resume service.
Okonkwo decried the cost of operating in Nigeria, citing a recent IATA report which ranked the country among the most expensive places in the world to run an airline.
He called on the government to ensure that revenues meant for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) remained in those accounts and ensure they were used for aviation purposes.
“This fund should not be put into the federal consolidated account and spent on unrelated budget items.
”I appeal for single-digit interest loans for airlines and closer collaboration between the Bank of Industry and commercial banks on fuel-purchase guarantee.
“Such measures would lead to a much healthier aviation sector with more Nigerian operators bringing in more aircraft for benefit all,” he said.
