Nigerian Airlines Unable to Fly to the U.S. Due to Category 1 Status, NCAA Clarifies....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified that Nigerian airlines are currently unable to operate flights to the United States because they have not maintained the necessary Category 1 status. This explanation was provided in a statement by the Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, Nigeria, Capt. Chris Najomo, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The statement addressed recent reports suggesting a ban on Nigerian airlines by the United States. Capt. Najomo emphasized the importance of setting the record straight to prevent any misunderstandings. He explained that Nigerian airlines would be permitted to operate into the U.S. using Nigerian-registered or dry-leased foreign-registered aircraft once the country regains Category 1 status, as outlined in the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

Nigeria first achieved Category 1 status in August 2010, following a safety assessment by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The country retained this status after subsequent assessments in 2014 and 2017. However, in September 2022, the FAA removed Nigeria from the Category 1 list. This action was part of a broader policy change that de-listed countries without an indigenous operator providing services to the U.S. or carrying a U.S. airline code within a two-year period.

Capt. Najomo clarified that Nigeria’s de-listing had nothing to do with any safety or security deficiencies in the nation’s aviation oversight system. He pointed out that Nigeria had passed comprehensive International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Safety and Security Audits without any Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) or Significant Security Concerns (SSeC).

Despite the de-listing, Nigerian operators can still fly to the U.S. using wet-leased aircraft from countries with current Category 1 status. The NCAA remains committed to adhering to international safety and security standards and respecting the sovereignty of states, as stipulated by the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Capt. Najomo also highlighted the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in revitalizing the Nigerian aviation sector. The minister’s initiatives include international campaigns to empower local operators to access the global dry-lease market, a recent visit to Airbus in France, and the signing of an MOU with Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Additionally, the minister is working to ensure Nigeria’s full compliance with the Cape Town Convention, which is expected to restore international lessors’ confidence in the Nigerian aviation market.