In line with the resolution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Federal Government has again renewed the suspension of commercial flights from the Niger Republic to Nigeria and from Nigeria to the neighbouring northern region.
News About Nigeria learned that the resolution to suspend commercial flights from plying the region was made by ECOWAS following the coup that happened in the Niger Republic in 2023.
Recall that the democratically elected president of the Republic, Mohammed Bazoum, was ousted on July 26, 2023, in a coup and replaced by the military junta led by General Abdourrahamane Tchiani.
In a letter dated February 2, 2024, which was made available to Newsmen on Tuesday, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) sent a notice to Airmen that the suspension of flights from Nigeria to the Niger Republic and from Niger to Nigeria is still on hold.
The resolution of the ECOWAS also implies that any flight from any state that would be overflying Nigeria to Niger is also suspended.
According to the letter, the suspension does not affect overflight aircraft through Niger airspace, special flights, or aircraft in a state of emergency.
The agency further tasked special flights with obtaining authorisation from the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.
Recall that despite the flight suspension and other stiff measures unleashed on Niger Republic by ECOWAS, the country, together with Burkina Faso and Mali, announced their withdrawal from the bloc in January 2024.
The countries have also since refused to succumb to pressure from ECOWAS for military junta to seize power.
