Nigerian airlines and the restriction from flying into the U.S – NCAA
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified why Nigerian airlines are currently prohibited from flying into the United States, citing the lack of the required Category 1 status.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, Nigeria, Capt. Chris Najomo, the NCAA addressed recent reports about the supposed ban on Nigerian airlines. The statement, released in Abuja on Tuesday, sought to correct any misconceptions arising from such reports.
Najomo explained, “The NCAA has noted a publication regarding the alleged ban on Nigerian airlines by the United States. To prevent any misinterpretation, it is important to clarify that Nigerian airlines are not permitted to operate flights into the U.S. because they have not achieved Category 1 status.”
He further elaborated that achieving Category 1 status would allow Nigerian airlines to operate both Nigerian-registered and dry-leased foreign aircraft into the U.S., in accordance with the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). Nigeria first achieved Category 1 status in August 2010. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted safety assessments in 2014 and again in 2017, confirming Nigeria’s Category 1 status until it was subsequently reviewed.
According to the statement, from September 2022, the U.S. FAA began removing Category 1 countries that did not have any indigenous operators providing services to the U.S. or operating under a U.S. airline code within a two-year period. Additionally, countries not receiving FAA technical assistance due to safety oversight non-compliance were also removed from the Category 1 list. Since no Nigerian operators serviced the U.S. with Nigerian-registered aircraft during this period, Nigeria was de-listed, a decision communicated in 2022.
Najomo emphasized that the de-listing was not related to any deficiencies in Nigeria’s safety or security systems. Nigeria has passed rigorous International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety and Security Audits without any Significant Safety Concern (SSC) or Significant Security Concern (SSeC).
He added, “Nigerian operators can still operate flights to the U.S. using aircraft wet-leased from countries with current Category 1 status. The NCAA adheres strictly to international safety and security standards and respects the sovereignty of states, including the U.S., as outlined in Article 1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.”
Najomo also highlighted the efforts of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who has actively worked to enhance the capacity of Nigerian operators to access the global dry-lease market. This includes recent initiatives such as visits to AIRBUS in France and a Memorandum of Understanding signed with BOEING in Seattle, Washington. The Minister has also focused on ensuring compliance with the Cape Town Convention, aiming to restore confidence among international lessors in the Nigerian aviation sector.
“We are optimistic that these measures will help Nigeria not only regain but also sustain its U.S. Category 1 status in the near future,” concluded Najomo.
