FG reiterates suspension of flight to Niger Republic

The Federal Government has reiterated the suspension of commercial flights between Niger and Nigeria.The directive, contained in Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) transitioned into Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) issued on January 29, 2024, in line with Standard Procedure, stated that the suspension can only be lifted by the Minister of Aviation and Aero Space Development, as approved by the Presidency of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).  

The AIC, however, gave exemptions to over-flight aircraft passing through Nigerien airspace, aircraft in a state of emergency and special flights, stating that the special flights would require authorisation from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

A statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Abdullahi Musa, recalled that in response to the coup d’état in the Republic of Niger on July 26, 2023, ECOWAS announced the closure of land and air borders between countries, along with the establishment of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.