Travel

FG denies reports that the US has banned Nigerian airlines

National carrier gets licence today, local airlines fault process

The Federal government has denied reports that Nigerian airlines have been banned from the US airspace by the American government.

A report emerged on Sunday, September 1, that Nigeria had been delisted from the United States Federal Aviation Administration Category One Status (USFAA CAT 1) International Aviation Safety Assessment Programme (IASA).

According to the report, following this removal, no Nigerian airline, including Air Peace, which planned to commence direct flight from Lagos to New York “soon,” can operate directly to any city or airport in the US until the country is re-audited and re-certificated by the FAA and returned to its former status.

On Monday evening, the NCAA released a statement clarifying the situation.

“The attention of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has once again been drawn to a publication about the purported ban on Nigerian airlines by United States. Due to the wrong impression such news could create, it has become expedient that we put this report in its proper perspective.

“To operate into the United States of Ameria, Nigeria like most countries must satisfactorily pass the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Programme and attain Category 1 status.

” Upon attaining this status, Nigerian airlines would be permitted to operate Nigerian registered aircraft and dry-leased foreign registered aircraft into the United States, in line with the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

“The first time Nigeria attained Category One Status was in August 2010. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted another safety assessment on Nigeria in 2014. A further safety assessment was conducted on Nigeria in 2017, after which Nigeria retained her Category One status.

“However, with effect from September, 2022, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) de-listed Category One countries who, after a 2-year period, had no indigenous operator provide service to the U.S. or carrying the airline code of a U.S operator.

“Also removed from the Category One list were countries who the FAA was not providing technical assistance to based on identified areas of non-compliance to international standards for safety oversight.

“No Nigerian operator has provided service into the United States using a Nigerian registered aircraft within the 2-year period preceding September, 2022 so it was expected that Nigeria would be de-listed as were other countries who fell within this category. Nigeria was, therefore, de-listed since 2022 and was duly informed of this action in 2022.

“It is important to clarify here that the de-listing of Nigeria has absolutely nothing to do with any safety or security deficiency in our oversight system. Nigeria has undergone comprehensive ICAO Safety and Security Audits and recorded no Significant Safety Concern (SSC) or Significant Security Concern (SSeC) respectively.

“It is furthermore necessary to add that a Nigerian operator can still operate into the U.S. using an aircraft wet-leased from a country who has a current Category One status.

“The NCAA continues to adhere strictly to international safety and security standards and respects the sovereignty of States, including the United States of America, as enshrined in Article One of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. This provision gives States complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territories.

Furthermore, it is in full realisation of this situation that has since prompted the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, to embark on an aggressive international campaign to empower our local operators to access the dry-lease market around the world which culminated in the visit to AIRBUS in France earlier this year and the MOU signed with BOEING in Seattle, Washington just last week.

” The Honourable Minister has also done a lot of work to make Nigeria comply fully with the Cape Town Convention which will bring back the confidence of international lessors in the Nigerian aviation market.

” We are confident that with these steps of the Honourable Minister, it is only a matter of time that Nigeria, not only regains, but can sustain its U.S. Category One status.

News

FG reviews cost of standard passport upward

Immigration kicks as Nigerian passport ranks below Niger, Chad, others

Effective from September 1, 2024, Nigerians seeking to obtain Standard Passports will pay more as the federal government as approved an upward review of the fees.

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kenneth Udo, on the X handle of the NIS.

The increment aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.

The statement reads: “As part of its efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport, the Federal Government has approved an upward review of the fees for the Passport, effective from September 1, 2024.

“Based on the review, a 32-page Passport booklet with 5-year validity previously charged at Thirty-five Thousand Naira (N35,000.00) will now be Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only; while a 64-page Passport booklet with 10-year validity which was Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000.00) will be One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) only.

“While the Nigeria Immigration Service regrets any inconvenience this increase might cause prospective applicants, it assures Nigerians of unwavering commitment to transparency and quality service delivery at all times”.

Travel

FG issues warning to Nigerians planning to visit UK

The Nigerian government on Monday, issued a travel alert to its citizens planning to visit the UK.

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the Minister of Interior, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe.

It noted that “There is an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK.”

It advised Nigerians travelling there to “be extra vigilant and take measures.”

These measures include avoiding political processions, protests, rallies and marches.

Nigerians have also been warned to avoid crowded areas and large gatherings.

Business

NAMA suspends planned increase in navigation charges

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, on Monday, suspended its proposed increment of en-route navigation charges.

Last week, NAMA said it was proposing the increase of en-route navigation charges from N2,000 and N6,000 to N18,000 and N54,000 per flight.

However, the agency, in response to the directive from Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has put the decision on hold.

Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Abdullahi Musa, in a statement, said the decision followed the Minister’s recognition of the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.

Musa stated that the development was a testament to government’s responsiveness to public concerns and its commitment to balancing economic sustainability with the needs of its citizens.

The statement reads: “The Minister emphasised the need for further consultation before implementing any changes, highlighting the importance of being sensitive to the plight of Nigerians amidst these economic challenges.

“This decision follows the keynote address by Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, Managing Director/CE of NAMA, at the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents Annual Conference held in Lagos on July 26, 2024. The theme of the conference was: ‘Aviation Survivability amidst a Challenging Macro-Economic Environment’.”

“In his address, Farouk highlighted the significant economic pressures faced by the aviation industry, exacerbated by global economic volatility, fuel price hikes, and currency instability. He outlined strategies for survival and growth, including operational efficiency, embracing innovation and technology, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering collaboration and partnerships.

“Farouk also discussed the financial challenges NAMA faces, noting that the agency relies on statutory fees and charges for managing the airspace. The Nigerian airspace management agency had proposed an increase in its fees and charges to sustain its operations and ensure the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s airspace. The new unit rate/minimum charge for en-route was set to increase to 18,000 Naira from 2,000 Naira per flight while the unit rate/minimum charge for terminal navigation charge (TCN domestic) were to rise to N54,000 from N6,000 per flight with effect from September 1.

‘NAMA would continue to engage the airlines, who have been responding to the prevailing economic situation since 2008 without taking NAMA into consideration, which is supposed to be a cost recovery agency in line with global practices.

“The directive from the Minister and the subsequent suspension of the planned increase underscore the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerian citizens and stakeholders in the aviation sector.”