Aviation: Nigeria awaits FAA audit report

The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has concluded an audit of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the report expected to be released in 30 days’ time.

The audit, conducted by a four-man team of FAA, would determine Nigeria’s readiness to continue to enjoy the Category One status which allows its carriers to operate direct flights to the United States.

The Category One status was conferred on the NCAA in 2010 which enabled Arik Air to fly to the US. Though Arik has suspended operations there, more Nigerian carriers especially Med-View and Air Peace have indicated interest to fly the ever busy and lucrative route.

NCAA is however optimistic that Nigeria would scale through the audit.

Director-General of the regulatory authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman, told journalists that the exercise was the first phase of the audit and assured that Nigeria would once again retain the Category One status.

He disclosed that the FAA team would in the next 30 days write a report about their observations on the audit to the regulatory agency while the final report would be sent to the country in the next 65 days with effect from last Friday.

The FAA team, led by Mr. Louis Avrez, International Technical Support, William Amoz, Aviation Safety Inspector, Benjamin Garrido, Frontline Manager, Airworthiness and L. P. Vanstory Ill, International Affairs, was in the country for five days to audit the nation’s airports.