NCAA discusses removing Nigerian airlines from US FAA list, cites procedural reasons

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has responded to recent claims that Nigerian airlines have been banned from operating in the United States.

In a statement issued by Captain Chris Najomo, Acting Director General of the NCAA, it was clarified that Nigeria’s revocation of its United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category One status in 2022 was for procedural reasons and not safety or security issues.

Captain Najomo explained that the revocation of the status was due to the fact that no Nigerian airline had operated a Nigerian-registered aircraft to the US in the two years to September 2022. The decision was in accordance with FAA regulations, which stipulate that continued service or technical assistance is required to maintain Category One status.

The statement underlined that Nigeria’s removal from the Category One list was anticipated and did not indicate any deficiencies in the country’s aviation safety or oversight. Captain Najomo highlighted that Nigeria has successfully passed several International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audits without any significant safety or security issues.

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The NCAA also highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, to strengthen the Nigerian aviation sector. These efforts include new international partnerships, such as Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Airbus in France and Boeing in the United States, aimed at facilitating the re-entry of Nigerian carriers into the US market.

Capt. Najomo assured stakeholders that Nigeria is working towards regaining Category One status and maintaining it in the future. He also noted that Nigerian airlines can still access the US market by leasing aircraft from countries holding Category One status.

The NCAA reaffirms its dedication to upholding international aviation standards and respecting the sovereignty of all nations, including the United States, in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

NCAA discusses removal of Nigerian airlines from US FAA list, cites procedural reasons first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.