United Airlines has asked the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) to block a proposed wet-lease arrangement between Turkish operator Air Anka and African carrier United Nigeria Airlines for flights to the U.S., arguing the deal would enable “misidentification, misunderstanding and deception” in the market.
The Chicago-based airline says it does not oppose Air Anka’s application for authority to operate U.S.-Turkey services under the bilateral air services agreement. However, it “strenuously objects to the wet lease portion of Air Anka’s application,” which will enable United Nigeria to launch Lagos-New York flights.
In the DOT filing, United argues that the Nigerian carrier’s use of the “United” name infringes its trademarks in Nigeria and has already led to consumer confusion.
The Star Alliance member says that it has held a registered trademark in the West African country since 2010 for “United” and “United Airlines.” The American company has been engaged in ongoing litigation in the Federal High Court of Nigeria since 2021 seeking to prevent United Nigeria from operating under what it characterizes as a confusingly similar name.
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.
Aviation Week has approached United Nigeria Airlines for comment.
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, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. Delta operates Atlanta-Lagos year-round and offered a seasonal New York John F. Kennedy-Lagos service during the December–January festive peak. United serves Lagos from Washington Dulles.
Credit: aviationweek
