A client requests a charter flight to Nigeria, Africa. Excluding insurance underwriting and coverage issues, could we operate a Part 135 flight to or through this country?

A client requests a charter flight to Nigeria, Africa. Excluding insurance underwriting and coverage issues, could we operate a Part 135 flight to or through this country?

• A. Yes, you may operate with standard insurance.
• B. No.
• C. Yes, if you obtain special authorization.
• D. Only if the flight is domestic.

Answer: (B)

Part 135 operations are intended to cover on‑demand air service within the United States (and its possessions). A flight to Nigeria would enter foreign airspace and fall under the jurisdiction of another country’s aviation authority. Without explicit international approvals from both the FAA and Nigeria’s civil aviation authority, a Part 135 operator cannot fly to or through that country. Insurance considerations are separate from this regulatory hurdle, so they don’t enable a standard Part 135 flight to an international destination. If international operation were pursued, it would require a different authorization path (such as operating under the foreign air carrier framework or obtaining a comprehensive FAA international operations authorization with the foreign government’s approval), which goes beyond the scope of a routine Part 135 certificate.

Part 135 operations are intended to cover on‑demand air service within the United States (and its possessions). A flight to Nigeria would enter foreign airspace and fall under the jurisdiction of another country’s aviation authority. Without explicit international approvals from both the FAA and Nigeria’s civil aviation authority, a Part 135 operator cannot fly to or through that country. Insurance considerations are separate from this regulatory hurdle, so they don’t enable a standard Part 135 flight to an international destination. If international operation were pursued, it would require a different authorization path (such as operating under the foreign air carrier framework or obtaining a comprehensive FAA international operations authorization with the foreign government’s approval), which goes beyond the scope of a routine Part 135 certificate.