United Nigeria Airlines is targeting January 2027 to launch commercial cargo operations at Ekiti Airport, while plans are also underway to introduce daily passenger flights as the state advances efforts to upgrade the facility.
The airline’s Executive Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, disclosed this at the commissioning of Reeve Energy Limited’s aviation fuel tank farm at the airport, assuring Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, that the carrier was prepared to transport goods from the state to destinations across Nigeria and international markets.
Okonkwo said the airline would activate its cargo operations by January, enabling businesses, particularly agricultural producers, to move their products to wider markets once the state government was ready to commence commercial exports.
“If you have cargo by January, we will be the first to lift your commercial cargo. Apart from this, we also intend to introduce daily passenger flights to Ekiti very soon,” he said.
He expressed confidence that expanded air services would strengthen the state’s economic activities by improving connectivity for businesses and supporting the movement of goods and passengers.
Okonkwo also said the new aviation fuel tank farm would provide a more reliable fuel supply to support the airline’s operations at the airport. He described United Nigeria Airlines as Nigeria’s second-largest consumer of aviation fuel after Air Peace.
Explaining the airline’s partnership with the state government, he said the arrangement followed due diligence by the government, which assessed domestic carriers before selecting United Nigeria Airlines based on its fleet and operational capacity.
He added that the airline had demonstrated its commitment to the partnership by maintaining some services during periods of low passenger demand, even when passenger numbers fell below expected levels.
Meanwhile, Oyebanji said the state government was accelerating airport infrastructure projects aimed at expanding operational capacity and enabling round-the-clock flight operations by the end of 2026.
He identified upgrades to the airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the installation of aerodrome ground lighting among the ongoing projects. The governor said the ground lighting project was costing more than ₦10 billion and would enable aircraft to land at the airport at any time once the necessary works were completed.
The governor also disclosed that the state was pursuing an independent power producer arrangement to provide a more reliable electricity supply and improve the airport’s energy independence.
He commended Reeve Energy Limited for investing in Ekiti and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private-sector participation in the state’s infrastructure development.
The planned cargo services, daily passenger flights and airport upgrades are expected to improve Ekiti’s air connectivity and create new opportunities for trade, particularly for agricultural businesses seeking access to domestic and international markets. Their full impact will depend on the completion of the required infrastructure and the readiness of the state’s export supply chain.
