The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has addressed recent reports claiming a U.S. ban on Nigerian airlines, clarifying that there is no such ban and urging accurate reporting to prevent public alarm.
NCAA’s acting Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo, explained that Nigeria’s current status stems from a policy revision by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September 2022.
This revision affected countries, including Nigeria, that had not operated indigenous flights to the U.S. within a two-year period.
Najomo emphasized that Nigeria’s removal from the FAA’s Category One list is unrelated to any aviation safety or security deficiencies.
Nigeria had previously maintained Category One status since 2010, following rigorous FAA safety assessments.
Despite the delisting, Nigerian operators can still fly to the U.S. using wet-leased aircraft from Category One countries.
he NCAA remains committed to upholding international safety standards and is working proactively to restore Nigeria’s Category One status.
Efforts to enhance the capabilities of Nigerian airlines are ongoing, with initiatives led by the Minister of Aviation, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, including partnerships with Airbus and Boeing.
The NCAA is optimistic that these strategic measures will ensure Nigeria regains and sustains its Category One status, supporting the growth and safety of the nation’s aviation industry.