Team leader, Greg Michael, briefing newsmen yesterday in Lagos commended Nigeria’s civil aviation authorities, saying that they had worked very hard to create a safe environment for air travel in the country.

The team which also include, Mark Bury attorney, Rafael Burgos (airworthiness), and John Thiem (operations) said they arrived in the country Sunday night, explaining that since their arrival, they had spent time on briefing on the operations of the NCAA.

Michael also said that the two American airlines, Delta and Continental Airlines would begin services into the country, after meeting all the requirements of the Nigerian aviation regulatory body.

The resumption of flight operations by these two carriers would bring to three the number of American airlines operating into Nigeria.

North American Airline, it would be recalled started operation into Nigeria, July last year under the ‘Open Skies’ Agreement between Nigeria and the U.S., with Nigeria designating three carriers, Bellview, Arik and Virgin Nigeria to America.

Delta Airlines is a U.S. based airline headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It operates a large domestic and international network that spans North America, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Delta Airlines currently flies to 463 destinations in 95 countries. In India, Delta Airlines flies to New Delhi and Mumbai.

Speaking at the occassion, the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren expressed the confidence that after the successful passing of the International Air Safety Assessment category for category one audit, Nigerian carriers would fly seamlessly to the U.S., from Lagos.

According to Demuren, "this is the initial assessment of that, initial review if you like. We are happy that they are here. They will still come back to do the theory aspect, so that Nigeria can pass and be a category one certified"

The benefits of Nigerian carriers operating to the country would he reiterated would be massive, with a lot of travel time shortened.

His words "There are a lot of people travelling to the U.S., we like them to go direct, and this is very important. Another advantage is that it would boost tourism, we have to ‘Open Skies’. It is a stamp of safety. If they are safe, people can fly in and do business here and this is important for Nigeria"