By Itohan Abara-Laserian
United Nigeria Airlines has entered into the global aviation space with the signing of a General Distribution System (GDS) agreement with global travel solution provider, Sabre Central and West Africa.
The Chairman of the airline, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said at a news conference on Friday in Lagos that it was the airline’s first collaboration with a global distribution technology partner.
Okonkwo said that the distribution agreement would allow travel agents worldwide to shop and book for products of United Nigeria Airlines via Sabre’s expansive platform, making it the third Nigerian carrier on the platform.
According to him, Sabre-connected travel agents worldwide will gain access to the Nigeria-based carrier’s fares and inventory, supporting the airline’s ambition for growth across Nigeria and West Africa.
He said that the integration into the Sabre platform was part of the airline’s 2025 plan to explore information technology and innovations.
Okonkwo said that the airline was expanding its capacity to fully utilise the opportunity.
“This is in keeping our promise to go global as quickly as we can. These are things that we have lined up as part of our objectives.
“We understand the challenges that this is coming with, but with over 50,000 agents in 200 countries with the capacity to buy our tickets, it means we have more seats to sell. We need to increase our inventory.
“By this time next year, we would have increased our capacity by over 2,000 per cent,” he said.
Okonkwo also disclosed that, from October to November this year, the airline would acquire four big body aircraft.
He added that the airline would, from February 2026 to April 2026, six Boeing 737-800NG would be added to the airline’s fleet.
“Choosing Sabre marks a significant milestone in the United Nigeria Airlines’ journey.
“For the first time, we are making our product available through a global travel marketplace.
“This is giving us the opportunity to broaden our reach and connect with travellers around the world,” he said.
Okonkwo also disclosed the airline’s planned entrance into Ghana in August as well as its plan to expand its schedule to other West African countries and other parts of Africa.
Dr Olayiwola Dare, Vice President, Sales, Strategy and Growth at Sabre Travel Central and West Africa, highlighted the benefits of the integration.
Dare said that the integration would enable the airline to have access to Sabre platforms through the Online Travel Agency (OTA), among others.
The Vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr Yinka Olapade, said that the association was excited at the development.
Olapade said that it was desirable that more Nigerian carriers would be on the GDS platform for global visibility.
GDS is a computerised network that enables travel industry service providers, such as airlines, hotels and car rental companies, to connect with travel agencies and other booking platforms.
This will enable local carriers to earn foreign exchange from the international community.