The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has said the ban on flights between Nigeria and Niger Republic subsists, saying only the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, could lift it.
NAMA stated that if authorised, over-flight aircraft passing through Niger airspace, aircraft in a state of emergency and special flights were exempted from the flight ban.
A statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NAMA, Mr Abdullahi Musa, noted that in response to the political events that surrounded the coup d’état in the Republic of Niger on 26 July 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), had convened a summit to address the situation.
It added that among the resolutions adopted during the summit was the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger as well as the establishment of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.
The statement read: “As of 0600 UTC on 3 August 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 29 January 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.
