Why Nigerian Airlines Can’t Fly to the U.S. Anymore: The Real Reason Behind the Ban

Nigerian airlines have been temporarily barred from flying into the United States due to Nigeria’s loss of its Category 1 status under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Programme. This disqualification has raised eyebrows and concerns among aviation enthusiasts and travelers alike. However, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has come forward to clarify the situation, dispelling any misconceptions about safety and security issues being the cause.

Understanding the Loss of Category 1 Status

According to Capt. Chris Najomo, the Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, the loss of Category 1 status was not due to any shortcomings in Nigeria’s aviation safety or security oversight. Instead, it was primarily a technical issue related to compliance with specific international standards.

For context, countries must pass the IASA Programme to achieve Category 1 status, allowing their airlines to operate flights directly to the U.S. Nigeria first attained this status in August 2010 and successfully retained it after subsequent safety assessments by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2014 and 2017.

The Real Reason Behind the Delisting

However, in September 2022, the U.S. FAA made a significant policy change. Countries that did not have an indigenous airline operating flights to the U.S. or carrying a U.S. airline’s code for two consecutive years were automatically de-listed from Category 1. Additionally, countries where the FAA was not providing technical assistance due to identified areas of non-compliance with international safety standards were also removed from the list.

Nigeria fell into the former category. No Nigerian airline had operated flights to the U.S. with a Nigerian-registered aircraft for the two years leading up to September 2022. As a result, Nigeria was delisted, along with several other countries facing similar circumstances.

Clarification on Safety Concerns

Najomo emphasized that the delisting had nothing to do with safety or security deficiencies within Nigeria’s aviation oversight system. Nigeria had undergone thorough audits by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and had not recorded any Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) or Significant Security Concerns (SSeC). This reinforces the fact that the country’s aviation standards remain robust and in line with global expectations.

The Way Forward for Nigerian Airlines

Despite the current setback, Nigerian airlines are not entirely barred from operating flights to the U.S. They can still do so using aircraft wet-leased from countries that maintain a Category 1 status. This provides a temporary workaround while the NCAA and Nigerian airlines work towards regaining the coveted Category 1 status.

Najomo reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to maintaining international safety and security standards while respecting the sovereignty of other nations, including the U.S., as stipulated in Article 1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Conclusion

The disqualification of Nigerian airlines from flying to the U.S. is more of a technical issue than a reflection of the safety or security standards of Nigeria’s aviation industry. While the loss of Category 1 status is a setback, it’s important to recognize that it doesn’t signify a failure in safety oversight. Nigerian authorities are now focused on addressing the necessary technicalities to restore the country’s position and ensure that Nigerian airlines can once again operate directly to the United States.