United Nigeria Airlines has honoured late Ghanaian leader Jerry Rawlings by naming an aircraft after him while launching new Lagos–Accra and Abuja–Accra routes to strengthen regional connectivity.
United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has named one of its aircraft after former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings, in recognition of his Pan-African ideals and contributions to West African integration. The announcement was made in Abuja by UNA Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, during a mock arrival and departure exercise for the airline’s new Lagos–Accra and Abuja–Accra commercial routes.
Okonkwo said the gesture underscores UNA’s commitment to African unity and regional aviation leadership. Members of the Rawlings family are expected to attend the formal unveiling ceremony in Accra on Monday.
He revealed that UNA plans to expand its fleet by six aircraft in the coming months to deepen access within ECOWAS and enhance regional trade and mobility. “Before we announced Accra operations, only one airline was doing Abuja–Accra direct. Just by our entry, fares dropped almost 50 percent. That is the value of Nigerian participation,” he said.
Okonkwo also called for tax reforms, noting that Nigeria’s $100 passenger service charge makes it one of Africa’s most heavily taxed aviation markets. “There is no trillion-dollar economy without flight connectivity,” he added. “Aviation is the enabler if people cannot move, commerce cannot expand.”