But Is The US Ready For Virgin Nigeria?

There may soon be yet another airline flying to the United States... at least, Dr. Yemi Osindero hopes so. Osindero is the CEO of Virgin Nigeria Airlines, and he recently expressed confidence his airline would soon past an FAA audit to begin operations to the states.

AllAfrica.com reports Osindero told attendees at the Association of Corporate Travel Executive ((ACTE) program, held Tuesday in Lagos, the audit should be complete in the next eight months.

"I am confident that not only Virgin Nigeria but also the industry as a whole will pass, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would pass," he said.

Osindero added the audit will likely prove to be a positive development for Nigeria's accident-prone aviation industry.

"If for nothing else, the fact that the audit itself will improve us and point out areas that we need to improve upon and we will work on those areas, so it's a good thing for the industry," he said.

Nigeria has never earned a Category 1 rating from the FAA, necessary for unhindered operations to the US.

Osindero does have a backup plan, should the audit not allow Virgin Nigeria to begin operations with its own planes. The airline would lease an aircraft from a country with a Category 1 rating, and have that country's flight crew fly the plane.

FMI: www.virginnigeria.com/en/ng/homepage.shtml