US halts direct flights from Nigeria

The United States has recently made a decision to halt direct flights from Nigeria, citing the country's loss of Category One status due to local airlines' failure to operate directly for the past two years. This move has significant implications for the Nigerian aviation sector and has sparked discussions on how the country can improve its bilateral aviation agreements and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Chukwuerika Achum, CEO of Vivajets, provided insights on these developments during a recent interview on CNBC Africa. The conversation covered various aspects, from the challenges faced by local airlines to the potential for establishing direct flights with Brazil. Let's delve into the key points discussed in the interview. Firstly, Achum highlighted the importance of local airlines operating directly into the U.S. to maintain Category One status. The absence of such operations has led to a downgrade in certification, affecting Nigeria's air travel industry. He emphasized the need for Nigerian carriers to build the capacity to fly directly to the U.S. in order to regain the Category One status. Achum also touched upon the potential for establishing direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil. While this opportunity presents itself as a way to strengthen bilateral ties, he emphasized the importance of analyzing demand and supply dynamics before committing to such a venture. Nigeria's positioning as a hub for connecting passengers from Brazil to other regions was discussed, highlighting the need for strategic planning and market assessment. Another significant development mentioned in the interview was Emirates' decision to resume flights to Nigeria from October. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the Nigerian aviation sector, with increased capacity and frequencies benefiting consumers. Achum noted that Emirates' hub service would offer passengers more flexibility in connecting to various destinations, potentially leading to lower costs for travelers. The conversation also touched upon capacity issues in the industry, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Boeing to address these challenges. While the MOU signifies progress, Achum highlighted the ongoing concern regarding the financing of aircraft and the need for reassurance for potential lessors. He acknowledged the significance of Nigeria being a signatory of the Cape Town Convention, which provides protection to financiers in case of defaults. Overall, the interview shed light on the current state of the Nigerian aviation sector, emphasizing the need for strategic partnerships, capacity building, and market analysis to drive growth and enhance competitiveness in the global aviation market.