United moves to stop United Nigeria’s US launch, over trademark concerns, others

• Chicago-based carrier filed objection notice Feb 25

In a significant move that highlights the competitive tensions of the Lagos–New York route, United Airlines has formally petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to block United Nigeria Airlines from launching flights to the United States.

The Chicago-based carrier filed its objection on February 25, 2026, shortly after United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) announced ambitious plans to begin direct services from Lagos to New York by the end of the second quarter of 2026.

United Airlines’ primary concern centres on trademark protection and the potential for “misidentification, misunderstanding, and deception” in the marketplace.

When Aviation Metric approached the United Nigeria Airlines chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, for comment, he promised to get back, but he has not done so as of press time.

There are indications that the carrier is putting up a measured response to the setback to its New York operations, as a source said the airline and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development are studying the petition.

The U.S. carrier claims that allowing a foreign airline with a near-identical name to operate in the same market violates its established intellectual property rights in the U.S.

This isn’t the first time United has taken this route. They successfully won a similar case in 2012/2013 against Bangladesh-based United Airways, where UK and U.S. courts eventually forced the smaller airline to change its branding for international operations to avoid confusion.

Despite this pushback, United Nigeria Airlines is currently in a period of rapid growth. To commemorate its fifth anniversary in February 2026, the airline revealed several key updates

The Nigerian carrier had ordered 11 additional aircraft, including six Boeing 737-800 NGs from Southwest Aviation (deliveries starting March 2026).

Two Airbus A330-200 wide-body jets leased from Anka Aviation in Turkey (first delivery set for July 26, 2026).

While UNA’s current focus is on New York, the Nigerian Ministry of Aviation had previously designated Houston as a potential destination under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

The U.S. carrier cited several alleged incidents of confusion, including a security breach involving a stowaway that was “incorrectly reported to have occurred on a United flight when the incident involved a United Nigeria flight,” as well as misdirected consumer complaints and media misidentification of United Nigeria’s CEO as United’s CEO.

Air Anka, which is seeking a foreign air carrier permit and exemption authority, intends to wet-lease an Airbus A330 aircraft to United Nigeria for Nigeria-U.S. services, with United Nigeria planning to file separately for its own economic authority.

United Nigeria, launched in 2021, is a privately owned Nigerian carrier that currently operates domestic and limited regional services within West Africa.

The carrier recently signed an agreement with Southwest Airlines to acquire six Boeing 737-800s, with delivery scheduled between the first quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. An additional four 737-800s will also be added, bringing the total to 10 aircraft.

The Nigeria-U.S. market is already served nonstop by both United and Delta Air Lines. Delta operates year-round service between Atlanta and Lagos and offers seasonal service between New York John F. Kennedy and Lagos during the December–January festive peak. United serves Lagos from Washington Dulles.

Wole Shadare