The acting director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo has provided clarity on the recent ban on Nigerian airlines by the United States, explaining that the loss of Nigeria’s ‘Category 1’ status under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme is the primary reason.
He emphasised that the delisting of Nigeria is not due to any safety or security deficiencies in the country’s aviation oversight system.
In a statement issued by the authority and made available to journalists, Najomo addressed the widespread reports regarding the purported ban on Nigerian airlines by the U.S. He explained that the de-listing was expected, given Nigeria’s failure to meet specific criteria over the past two years.
“The attention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has once again been drawn to publications about the purported ban on Nigerian airlines by the United States. Due to the wrong impression such news could create, it has become expedient to put this report in its proper perspective,” the statement read.
“To operate flights to the United States, Nigeria, like most other countries, must satisfactorily pass the IASA program and attain Category 1 status. Achieving this status permits Nigerian airlines to operate Nigerian-registered aircraft and dry-leased foreign-registered aircraft into the United States, in accordance with the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).”
Najomo noted that Nigeria first attained Category 1 status in August 2010. Subsequent assessments were conducted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2014 and 2017, with Nigeria retaining its ‘Category 1’ status on both occasions. However, in September 2022, the FAA de-listed Nigeria from the ‘Category 1’ list. This action was based on the rule that countries without an indigenous operator providing service to the U.S. or carrying the airline code of a U.S. operator for two consecutive years would be removed from the list. Additionally, countries not receiving technical assistance from the FAA due to identified areas of non-compliance with international safety standards were also de-listed.
“No Nigerian operator has provided service into the United States using a Nigerian-registered aircraft within the two-year period preceding September 2022. It was, therefore, expected that Nigeria would be de-listed, as were other countries in similar situations. Nigeria was duly informed of this action in 2022,” Najomo explained.
He emphasised that the de-listing has no connection to any safety or security concerns within Nigeria’s aviation oversight system. “Nigeria has undergone comprehensive ICAO Safety and Security Audits and recorded no Significant Safety Concern (SSC) or Significant Security Concern (SSeC),” Najomo added.
Despite the de-listing, Nigerian operators can still operate into the U.S. using aircraft wet-leased from a country with a current ‘Category 1’ status. The NCAA continues to strictly adhere to international safety and security standards, respecting the sovereignty of states, including the United States, as enshrined in Article One of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Najomo also highlighted the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, who has launched an aggressive international campaign to empower local operators. This includes enhancing access to the dry-lease market and working towards full compliance with the Cape Town Convention, which is expected to restore international lessors’ confidence in the Nigerian aviation market.
Recent initiatives include the minister’s visit to Airbus in France and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boeing in Seattle, Washington, aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s aviation capabilities. Najomo expressed confidence that these steps will enable Nigeria to regain and sustain its U.S. ‘Category 1’ status in the near future.
