Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation
The Federal Government has suspended commercial flights from Niger Republic to Nigeria and from Nigeria to the nation’s northern neighbouring country.
This is part of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resolutions against Niger Republic, which on July 26, 2023 ousted its duly elected President, Mohamed Bazoun in a Coup and was replaced by the Military junta, General Abdourrahamane Tchiani.
The restriction includes 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) is 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 stated 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 that “special flights are to obtain authorization from the permanent secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.”
A NAMA insider explained to THISDAY that the NOTAM came as a result of the military take over by the military junta in Niger Republic.
“It came from the Ministry of Aviation as authorised by the permanent secretary and ECOWAS. The above restriction has not been lifted, hence NOTAM renewal in line with standard and recommended practices.”
But some industry stakeholders told THISDAY that the military government in Niger may retaliate and in collaboration with Burkina Faso and Mali decide to close their airspace against international flights to and from Nigeria, disclosing that the airspace of these three countries is above 50 per cent of the total airspace of ECOWAS countries.
Former Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Matthew Pwajok, told THISDAY that if these three countries close their airspace airlines that operate to Nigeria and other countries in Southern Africa will lose huge amount of money because the closed airspace will extend hours of flight and NAMA will also lose over-fliers revenue, paid in foreign currency and which is the base of the agency’s income.
“The challenge we will have is, if they decide to close their airspace against flights from and to Nigeria it will adversely affect our Europe-bound flights, which usually fly through Niger and this will be a serious challenge both for the airlines and for aviation agencies, especially NAMA. Flights from southern Africa fly though Nigeria and we generate revenue from over flier charges, but if they close their airspace, these flights won’t be flying through our own airspace to connect to theirs and to Europe,” he said.
