The much touted United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 Certification of Nigeria's aviation industry may not be possible this year, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, has said.

This is coming just as the US-based United Airlines may have responded to the Federal Government's call for foreign airlines to partner with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for the development of the nation's airports.

Speaking at the last technical review of NCAA by FAA in preparation for category 1 certification in Lagos, yesterday, Demuren said the certification would now be granted by the US authorities in the first quarter of next year.

According to him, the postponement is not because NCAA is not ready for the certification, but the inability of the FAA's auditors to come to the country before year end.

Category 1 certification will enable Nigerian airlines fly direct into US destinations, for which the government has already designated Arik Air, Bellview Airlines and Virgin Nigeria Airways, now Nigerian Eagle Airlines.