The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has recently addressed the issue of Nigerian airlines being delisted from operating in the United States. This decision has raised questions, especially about the safety and security of these airlines. Here’s a detailed look at why this happened.

Background on the Delisting

Nigerian airlines, including Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines, were initially granted permission to operate flights to the US, specifically to Washington and Houston. However, a significant change occurred when these airlines were barred from operating in the US.

The NCAA’s Clarification

Capt. Chris Najomo, the acting Director General of the NCAA, provided clarity on the situation. He emphasized that the delisting of Nigerian airlines from operating in the US had nothing to do with safety or security deficiencies. Instead, the ban was a result of operational gaps.

Najomo explained that no Nigerian airline had operated flights to the US using Nigerian-registered aircraft for two years leading up to September 2022. This lack of service directly contributed to the decision to delist Nigeria from the list of countries allowed to operate flights to the US.

Details on the Delisting

The delisting was not sudden. Nigeria was informed of this action in 2022, and it aligned with similar decisions made for other countries that faced the same issue. The decision was based on the operational performance and not on any safety-related concerns.

Safety and Security Audits

Najomo also pointed out that Nigeria underwent comprehensive audits by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These audits assessed both safety and security aspects of the Nigerian aviation sector. The results showed that Nigeria had no Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) or Significant Security Concerns (SSeC).