UNITED NIGERIA AIRLINES SIGNS DEAL TO BUILD AIR BISSAU — GUINEA-BISSAU'S NATIONAL CARRIER

MoU signed in Bissau; Nigerian airline to provide aircraft, management and majority investment; 18-month agreement effective immediately

United Nigeria Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Guinea-Bissau to establish and operate Air Bissau as the West African nation's national carrier, creating a joint venture in which the Nigerian airline will provide the majority of financial investment, operational expertise, aircraft, and management.

The agreement was signed in Bissau, the Guinean capital, between Guinea-Bissau's Minister of Transport Dr Florentino Pereira and United Nigeria Airlines Executive Chairman Prof Obiora Okonkwo.

Under the MoU, a joint venture company will be created to operate as Guinea-Bissau's national airline, with United Nigeria Airlines providing aircraft and assuming responsibility for operational management, strategic direction, and day-to-day control. The airline will also provide and operate an executive jet for use by the President and Government of Guinea-Bissau.

The Government of Guinea-Bissau pledged to designate Air Bissau as the country's official national carrier and transfer rights under existing Bilateral Air Services Agreements, providing Air Bissau with access to traffic rights and authorisations for regional and international destinations. The government will also provide infrastructure support at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, covering ground handling, customs, immigration, and security.

The MoU is effective immediately and runs for 18 months, with a permanent agreement to be signed at its conclusion.

The development carries an ironic dimension: Nigeria currently has no national carrier of its own, despite longstanding calls from industry stakeholders for one. United Nigeria Airlines is building a national airline for another country while the question of Nigeria's own flag carrier remains unresolved.