The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) said that in response to the recent political events surrounding the coup d’état in the Republic of Niger on July 26, 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had convened an extraordinary summit to address the situation.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Abdullahi Musa, said that among the resolutions adopted during the summit, was that ECOWAS announced the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger, along with the establishment of a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger.
The agency said that in retaliation to these measures, the Niger government suspended flights into Nigeria and overflying planes.
It added that in view of the above, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development issued a directive to NAMA on August 2, 2023.
This directive, the statement said instructed NAMA to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) effective from August 3, 2023, enforcing the no-fly zone on all commercial flights between Niger and Nigeria.
The statement explained that as of 0600 UTC on August 3, 2023, aircraft departing from or arriving at aerodromes within the Niamey Flight Information Region (FIR-Nigerien Airspace) were prohibited from entering Kano FIR until further notice.
NAMA said that following standard procedures, the NOTAM transitioned into an Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) on January 29, 2024.
The AIC , the statement said, reiterated the suspension of all commercial flights between Niger and Nigeria, as well as flights overflying Nigeria to Niger.
NAMA said that however, certain exemptions were outlined, including over-flight aircraft passing through Niger airspace, aircraft in a state of emergency, and special flights and that special flights require authorisation from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
NAMA informed that the suspension of flights can only be lifted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development as approved by the Presidency and ECOWAS.
NAMA said that it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of airspace users, in compliance with international regulations and directives.
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