Nigeria has achieved a Category 1 rating under the US Federal Aviation Administration's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme, meaning the country now complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
The rating is based on the results of a July FAA review of Nigeria's civil aviation authority, and allows Nigerian carriers to apply to operate to the USA with their own aircraft.
In July Nigerian carrier Arik Air secured recertification under new civil aviation regulations, developed as part of the Nigerian civil aviation administration's effort to be recognised as ICAO-compliant.
At that time, the Nigeria authority said that, to secure Category 1 status from the FAA, it would need to adopt more rigorous procedures in eight specific areas.
Source: Flight International
