United Nigeria Airlines Signs MoU to Launch Guinea-Bissau's National Carrier
United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Guinea-Bissau to establish Air Bissau, a new national carrier for the West African nation. The agreement was signed in Bissau by Guinea-Bissau's Transport Minister, Dr Florentino Mendes Pereira, and UNA Chairman Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, with UNA set to provide majority investment, aircraft, operational expertise and management support under a joint venture structure. The MoU takes immediate effect and remains valid for 18 months, or until a final joint venture agreement is concluded.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Guinea-Bissau Government will designate Air Bissau as the country's official national carrier, granting it rights under existing Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) to strengthen its access to regional and international routes. UNA will oversee management and operational control, while also committing to training Guinean nationals as pilots, cabin crew and technical personnel. The deal includes provisions for annual independent safety and maintenance audits, full liability and hull insurance coverage, and asset protection mechanisms to safeguard UNA's investment against regulatory uncertainty - signalling a structured and commercially focused approach to improving connectivity across West Africa.
Source: Business Day