Following last week’s apprehension that trailed the purported threat by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to close their airspace to Nigeria due to their recent pullout from the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has given an update on the flight suspension between Nigeria and Niger.

A statement issued by NAMA, the agency of government managing flight operations around the country’s airspace, attributed the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger along with the establishment of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger following a decision taken at an extraordinary summit held by the ECOWAS in response to the political upheaval that took place in Niger last year.

According to the NAMA statement: “In response to the recent political events surrounding the coup d’état in the Republic of Niger on July 26, 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened an extraordinary summit to address the situation. Among the resolutions adopted during the summit, ECOWAS announced the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, along with the establishment of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.

“In retaliation to these measures, the Niger government suspended flights into Nigeria and overflying planes. Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development issued a directive to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on August 2, 2023. This directive instructed NAMA to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) effective from August 3, 2023, enforcing the no-fly zone on all commercial flights between Niger and Nigeria.

“As of 0600 UTC on August 3, 2023, aircraft departing from or arriving at aerodromes within the Niamey Flight Information Region (FIR-Nigerien Airspace) were prohibited from entering Kano FIR until further notice.

“Following standard procedures, the NOTAM transitioned into an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) on January 29, 2024. The AIC reiterated the suspension of all commercial flights between Niger and Nigeria, as well as flights overflying Nigeria to Niger.

“However, certain exemptions were outlined, including over-flight aircraft passing through Niger airspace, aircraft in a state of emergency, and special flights. It is important to note that special flights require authorization from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

“It is crucial to highlight that the suspension of flights can only be lifted by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aero Space Development as approved by the Presidency and ECOWAS,” he added.

NAMA therefore assured of commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria airspace users, in compliance with international regulations and directives.

There was apprehension within the sector when the news broke out that the three Francophone speaking countries having pulled out of ECOWAS had subsequently shut their airspace to Nigeria.

Information further obtained revealed that Nigeria already has a contingency plan for restrictions over Niger’s airspace.

According to a source, “ECOWAS already issued restrictions that are in force now and are being complied with by NAMA. We do not have direct boundaries with the two other countries (Mali and Burkina Faso). The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has a regional route and contingency for any emergency situations.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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