Barely a week after the Federal Government reiterated its ban on flights between Nigeria and Niger Republic, the Nigerien government has retaliated with a ban. A circular by the Bureau Notam International De L’Quest Africain to its agencies with the reference number, NR 16/A/24GO, dated February 6, 2024 with the theme, ‘Restriction of Flights to and from Nigeria,’ and obtained by Daily Independent, conveyed the message....CONTINUE READING
The Republic of Niger said that its airspace was opened to all national and international commercial flights from ground to unlimited except for Nigerian flights to or from Nigeria.
The government, however, said that the restrictions did not affect commercial flights that fly over Nigerian airspace without landing in the country (Nigeria).
The government insisted that Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) and/or radar transponders must remain on for any flight taking place in the Niger Republic airspace.
It maintained that its airspace still remained closed for all military, operational and other special flights, stressing that these military or special flights are only permitted subject to prior authorisation from the competent authorities.
“This circular, which only concerns Niger and Nigeria, does not repeal the Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) in force,” the government said.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) had last week reiterated the ban on flights between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
NAMA clarified that authorised exemptions to the ban include over-flight aircraft traversing Nigerian airspace, aircraft in a state of emergency, and special flights.
On July 26, 2023, Nigerien military junta ousted its duly elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, in a coup and replaced him with General Abdourrahamane Tchiani.
As a result, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), closed land borders with the Niger Republic and declared it a “No-Fly Zone.”
A statement by Abdullahi Musa, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NAMA, stated that following the coup d’état, ECOWAS convened an extraordinary summit to address the situation.
Among the resolutions adopted during the summit was the closure of ECOWAS member states’ land and air borders with Niger, along with the establishment of a no-fly zone for all commercial flights to and from Niger.
Musa added that in retaliation, the Niger government had suspended flights into Nigeria and overflying planes.
NAMA clarified that authorised exemptions to the ban included over-flight aircraft traversing Nigerian airspace, aircraft in a state of emergency, and special flights.
