With Niger Republic airspace closure, cost of flight ticket will skyrocket in Nigeria – Atedo Peterside

• Niger Republic has been in the news since a military junta seized power in the West African country two weeks ago
• On Sunday it announced the closure of its airspace after the ultimatum issued to the coupists to relinquish power and reinstate the ousted president Muhammad Bazoum elapsed

One of Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs, investment bankers, and economists, Atedo Peterside, has weighed in on the happenings in the West Africa sub-region especially as it relates to the political situation Niger Republic.

Niger Republic has been in the news since a military junta seized power in the West African country two weeks ago.

On Sunday it announced the closure of its airspace after the ultimatum issued to the coupists to relinquish power and reinstate the ousted president Muhammad Bazoum.

Reacting to the development, Peterside said Niger’s government decision to shut its airspace will have a negative impact on an ailing Nigeria’s aviation section.

He said the move would further make air traveling difficult for Nigerians going to Europe as flight cost would ballon.

In a post on his social media page, Peterside noted that the situation may get worse if Burkina Faso or Mali join Niger in declining overflight rights to Nigerian-bound aircraft.

He wrote, “Closure of Niger Republic airspace will increase the cost of flights from Nigeria to Europe. If Burkina Faso and/ or Mali join Niger in declining overflight rights to Nigerian-bound aircraft, then inbound and outbound flights from Nigeria to Europe will become very expensive.”

The military junta in Niger Republic over the weekend, closed the country’s airspace, warning that any attempt to violate it would be met with an “energetic and immediate response”. This comes after the deadline given by the West African bloc, ECOWAS for the junta to hand over power back to the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, expired.

So far, it has been gathered that Lagos-London fare is 49% higher than Accra-London, 162% higher than Cotonou-London. Moreso, the Nigerian airfare has skyrocketed over the forex shortage.