United Airlines is fighting to ground a Nigerian carrier before it ever takes off for New York.
The Chicago-based giant has formally petitioned the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to block United Nigeria Airlines from launching nonstop Lagos–New York flights, a route the young Nigerian carrier has been building toward since its fifth-anniversary announcement earlier this month.
United Airlines has asked the DOT to block a proposed wet-lease arrangement between Turkish operator Air Anka and United Nigeria Airlines for flights to the US, arguing the deal would enable “misidentification, misunderstanding, and deception” in the market.
The Star Alliance member says it has held a registered trademark in Nigeria since 2010 for both “United” and “United Airlines,” and that the Nigerian carrier’s use of the “United” name has already led to consumer confusion in West Africa.
Crucially, United says it does not oppose Air Anka’s application for US–Turkey services under the bilateral air services agreement.
However, it “strenuously objects” only to the wet-lease portion that would enable United Nigeria to operate the Lagos–New York service.
The filing was submitted on February 25, 2026, shortly after United Nigeria Airlines announced its plans to begin direct Lagos–New York services by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Background
The blocked route was central to United Nigeria’s boldest expansion yet.
At a press conference marking the airline’s fifth anniversary in Lagos, chairman Professor Obiora Okonkwo confirmed that United Nigeria had ordered 11 additional aircraft including two Airbus A330-200 widebody jets leased from Anka Aviation Turkey to support long-haul operations, with first delivery set for July 26, 2026.
“By the end of the second quarter of 2026, United Nigeria Airlines will fly direct to New York,” Okonkwo declared.
Beyond New York, the airline announced plans to launch flights to Dubai, Jeddah, Rome, and the United Kingdom by summer 2026, alongside six new regional African routes including Dakar, Monrovia, and Johannesburg.
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When approached for comment, United Nigeria chairman Professor Obiora Okonkwo promised a response but had not issued one as of press time. Indications suggest the airline and Nigeria’s Ministry of Aviation are working on a measured response to the setback.
This is not the first time United has taken this route.
The airline successfully won a similar case in 2012 and 2013 against Bangladesh-based United Airways, where UK and US courts eventually forced the smaller carrier to rebrand its international operations to avoid consumer confusion.
