{
  "id": 16137332,
  "title": "Ekiti; United Nigeria Airlines to Activate Cargo Operations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/ekiti-united-nigeria-airlines-to-activate-cargo-operations",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T01:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/23/ekiti-united-nigeria-airlines-to-activate-cargo-operations/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "United Nigeria Airlines announced plans to initiate cargo operations at Ekiti Airport in January, with the goal of introducing daily passenger flights to the state shortly after. This information was revealed by the airline's Executive Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, during the unveiling of Reeve Energy Limited's aviation fuel tank farm facility at the airport. Okonkwo stated that cargo aircraft could commence transporting goods from Ekiti to other parts of Nigeria and international destinations like London, adding that the airline would be the first to provide commercial cargo services once the state is ready. He also mentioned that United Nigeria would soon commence daily flights to the airport. Okonkwo revealed that United Nigeria Airlines is the second-largest consumer of aviation fuel in Nigeria, after Air Peace, which would be beneficial for the new fuel facility, as a consistent fuel supply would support the airline's expanding operations at the airport. According to Okonkwo, the airline did not apply for or lobby for the partnership, nor did it pay any bribes. He explained that the state government conducted its own due diligence, compared the airline with other airlines in Nigeria, and approached United Nigeria Airlines due to its fleet and operations. Okonkwo also mentioned that United Nigeria Airlines agreed to carry fewer passengers, with 40 passengers instead of 50 on some flights during periods of low demand, describing it as a sacrifice made out of trust in the partnership and the government's commitment. He expressed his appreciation, stating, \"We did not apply for this partnership. But if the government did their due diligence, found us worthy and capable of serving them, and approached us, I was very touched. And thank God the deal worked. And thank God we are part of what is happening today.\"",
  "summary": "United Nigeria Airlines has said it plans to begin cargo operations at Ekiti Airport in January, and hopes to introduce daily passenger flights to the state soon after. This was",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}