United States carrier, United Airlines, says it will operate the first-ever nonstop flight between Washington, D.C and Lagos, Nigeria and offer more flights between the US capital and Africa than any other carrier.

United is joining another American carrier, Delta Airlines, which has been flying the Nigeria-US routes in the last 14 years.

The Houston-based United had stopped flights to Lagos about five years ago following exchange rate crisis in Nigeria and a global downturn in the oil market.

According to United, the new service between Washington, DC and Lagos, Nigeria will begin November 29, 2021 subject to government approval.

The airline said it would operate three weekly flights connecting the US capital to Nigeria’s largest city, which is also the top western African destination for US-based travellers.

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The carrier said tickets would be available for sale on its website app this weekend.

The statement quoted the United  Airlines Vice President, International Network and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, “This new flight to Lagos has been highly anticipated by our customers and offers the first ever nonstop service between Washington, DC and Nigeria, as well as convenient, one-stop connections to over 80 destinations throughout the Americas including Houston and Chicago,” said

“On behalf of all of United we’d like to offer our sincere thanks to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation for supporting our plans to provide this service.”

“We are honored to work with our partners at United Airlines to welcome their second nonstop connection from Dulles International to the African continent,” said Carl Schultz, acting vice president of airline business development at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “Lagos joins nearly 50 other nonstop international destinations currently served by the National Capital Region’s gateway to the world.”