- Niger Republic reaffirms ban on flights from Nigeria, allowing only commercial flights passing through its airspace without landing
- The ban, detailed in a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), excludes flights from or to Nigeria but allows commercial flights through
Niger Republic has reaffirmed its ban on flights originating from Nigeria, as stated in a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the country’s airspace authority.
The NOTAM emphasized that flights from Nigeria are not permitted to land in Niger. However, it clarified that commercial flights passing through Nigerien airspace without landing are exempt from this restriction.
The airspace notice specified, “The Niger Republic airspace is open to all national and international commercial flights, except those originating from or destined to Nigeria.”
Moreover, it highlighted the requirement for ADB-B or Radar transponders to remain active for all flights within Nigerien airspace.
The circular also outlined that Niger’s airspace remains closed for military, operational, and special flights, except those authorized by competent authorities.
This directive, specific to Niger and Nigeria, does not supersede any existing NOTAMs.
According to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the ban also prohibits commercial flights from Niger from overflying Nigerian airspace and vice versa.
Nigeria had previously reinstated the ban on flights to and from Niger, aligning with ECOWAS resolutions.
Recently, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS, opting to form their confederation in December 2023.