The Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed the suspension
of commercial flights from Niger Republic to Nigeria and from Nigeria to the
nation’s northern neighboring country.
This was part of the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) resolutions against the Niger Republic, which on July 26, 2023,
ousted its duly elected President, Mohamed Bazoum in a coup and replaced by the
Military junta, General Abdourrahamane Tchiani.
The restriction included the directive that no commercial
flight from Niger should overfly Nigerian airspace and no flight from any
Nigerian state should overfly Niger’s airspace.
This directive (Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was contained in a
letter titled: ECOWAS Restriction on the Republic of Nigeria, from the Nigerian
Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Aeronautical Information Services dated
February 2, 2024 and signed by the Director of Air Traffic Services, Tayo John,
on behalf of the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive.
The letter stated: “In accordance with ECOWAS resolutions,
all commercial flights from Niger to Nigeria, or from Nigeria to Niger, or from
Niger overflying Nigeria, or from any state overflying Nigeria to Niger are
suspended.”
However, the letter added that, “These restrictions do not
affect: (a)Overflight aircraft through Niger airspace; (b) Aircraft in a state
of emergency and (c) Special flights.”
It directed further that “special flights are to obtain
authorisation from the permanent secretary, Ministry of Aviation and
Aerospace.”
