United Nigeria Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with Guinea-Bissau to re-establish Air Bissau as the country’s national carrier. The joint venture will place operational control and day-to-day management with the Nigerian operator, while Bissau becomes the base at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.
United Nigeria will supply most of the capital, aircraft, management and training, with its E145s expected to anchor the start-up fleet. Guinea-Bissau will designate the airline as its flag carrier and back certification, licensing, infrastructure and traffic-rights access. The MOU runs for 18 months or until a definitive JV is signed.
The structure gives United Nigeria a clean entry into a new West African market.