Virgin Nigeria gets American clearance to commence flights into US

Shola Adekola, Lagos - 06.04.2008

THE open skies between Nigeria and the United States has become a success as Virgin Nigeria was yesterday granted approval by the United States Department of Transportation to commence direct commercial flights from Lagos to various destinations in America .

The approval signed by the American Director Office of International Aviation, Mr. Paul Gretch confirmed that Virgin Nigeria has formally been granted the foreign air carrier permit and is financially and operationally qualified to perform the services authorized.

The approval came after an application which was filed byVirgin Nigeria since December 2005 with the US Department of Transport to provide scheduled passenger air transportation between the United States and Nigeria.

The DOT approval authorizes Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited to use aircraft wet leased from a duly authorized and properly supervised U.S. or foreign air carrier.

The approval given Virgin Nigeria has made it the first Nigerian carrier to get the approval.