“The airspace of the Republic of Niger is open to all national and international commercial flights from ground to unlimited except for Nigerian flights to or from Nigeria,” Niamey’s aviation authority announced on 6 February 2024.
However, the ban does not apply to commercial flights that transit Nigerien airspace without landing in the country.
“On the other hand, the Niger Republic airspace still remains closed for all military, operational and other special flights. These military or special flights are only permitted subject to prior authorization from the competent authorities,” the statement added.
The decision mirrors a similar action by the Nigerian government following recent political strains between the two nations since the 26 July 2023 coup in Niger.
Nigeria placed a ban on commercial flights from Niger overflying Nigeria and vice versa and prohibits flights from any country from transiting Nigerian airspace en route to Niger.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, said the action was part of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, measures to compel General Abdourahamane Tchiani to reinstate Mohamed Bazoum as the president of Niger.
Nigeria which supplies more than 70 percent of Niger’s electricity also cut it off and suspended financial transactions with the country.
But the stringent sanctions have had little or no impact on the ambition of the military government, which has consolidated its hold on power.
