US Shuts Direct Flights from Lagos as Bilateral Window Closes

The United States has shut down direct flights from Lagos, Nigeria, due to the country’s failure to maintain the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Category One status.

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Nigeria lost its Category One status after its airlines failed to operate directly to the US for two years, prompting the US FAA to delist the country. This means that Nigerian airlines cannot operate directly to any city or airport in the US until the country is re-audited and re-certificated by the US FAA.

Industry experts say the chances of Nigerian airlines operating direct flights to the US are slim, but not impossible. Olumide Ohunayo, an industry analyst, said Nigeria needs to call the FAA for a re-audit and ensure that local airlines are prepared to meet the necessary standards.

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The US FAA had in 2010 granted Nigeria Category One status after a rigorous exercise, but the country’s failure to maintain the standards led to its delisting. Other African countries on the FAA Category One list include Egypt, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Morocco, and South Africa.

The NCAA has explained that Nigeria’s delisting was expected, as no Nigerian operator had provided services to the US within the two-year period preceding September 2022. The regulatory body, however, assured that Nigeria’s safety and security oversight system is intact.