The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified the reasons behind Nigeria’s loss of Category 1 status, which currently disqualifies Nigerian airlines from operating flights to the United States. This status, crucial for operating flights to the U.S., was revoked because no Nigerian airline provided service to the U.S. using Nigerian-registered aircraft within the two years leading up to September 2022.
According to Capt. Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, the de-listing of Nigeria has nothing to do with safety or security deficiencies in the country’s oversight system. Instead, it was part of a broader U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decision affecting countries without active operators or technical assistance agreements with the U.S.
Nigeria first attained Category 1 status in August 2010 and maintained it through subsequent assessments in 2014 and 2017. However, as of September 2022, the FAA removed countries that didn’t meet the two-year operation requirement, leading to Nigeria’s de-listing.
Despite the de-listing, Nigerian airlines can still operate in the U.S. using aircraft wet-leased from countries with current Category 1 status. The NCAA emphasized its continued adherence to international safety and security standards, with no significant concerns raised in recent audits by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has launched international efforts to regain Category 1 status, including securing agreements with major aircraft manufacturers like AIRBUS and BOEING. The ministry is also working on full compliance with the Cape Town Convention to restore confidence in Nigeria’s aviation sector.