The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has addressed recent misconceptions about the status of Nigerian airlines concerning flying into the United States. Contrary to circulating reports, there is no current ban on Nigerian airlines imposed by the U.S. government. Instead, Nigeria was de-listed from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Category 1 status due to regulatory changes.
In a statement released on Monday, Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of the NCAA, provided clarity on the situation. He explained that Nigeria initially achieved Category 1 status under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program in August 2010. This status was reaffirmed following safety assessments by the FAA in 2014 and 2017. However, as of September 2022, Nigeria was de-listed because no Nigerian airline had operated flights to the U.S. using Nigerian-registered aircraft or a U.S. airline code within the preceding two years.
“It is crucial to understand that this de-listing does not reflect any safety or security deficiencies in Nigeria’s oversight system,” Najomo emphasized. He pointed out that Nigeria has passed comprehensive International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety and security audits without any significant concerns.
The de-listing is related to compliance with operational criteria, not safety standards. Nigerian airlines can still operate flights to the U.S. by wet-leasing aircraft from countries that currently hold Category 1 status. Wet leasing involves renting an aircraft along with its crew, maintenance, and insurance from another nation.
Najomo also underscored that Nigeria's aviation sector continues to adhere to international safety and security standards and respects the sovereignty of other nations, as stipulated in the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
The NCAA's statement also highlighted ongoing efforts by Nigeria's Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The Minister has been actively engaging with international aviation stakeholders to support Nigerian airlines. This includes recent visits to Airbus in France and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Additionally, Keyamo has been working to ensure Nigeria’s full compliance with the Cape Town Convention to restore confidence among international lessors.