Niger has shut down its airspace for all French Airlines, which also includes Air France. The reason behind this decision is the deteriorating relations between several European and African nations.
The aggressiveness originated between multiple countries due to political upheaval, with Niger’s decision worsening the situation.
As per sources, the control of Niger is currently in the hands of the military, which overthrew the government after a coup on the 26th of July.
Consequently, the new official in power has decided to make the ban public across the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASCNA).
French planes
As a result, French planes, military aircraft, and any others chartered by France are going to be forbidden until the foreseeable future.
However, the airspace can still be used by all international and national commercial flights.
In a statement released by Air France, it revealed that the airline is currently being prevented from operating any flights over the Niger airspace.
From the 7th of August, the airline had already suspended all its flights to and from Niamey, but this ban is going to keep it out permanently.
As of now, it is still unclear whether flights of Air France will return to the airspace.
Airspace closed
Niger took to closing its airspace for the first time back on the 6th of August. It cited the threat of intervention from countries in the neighborhood soon after the political situation worsened in the country.
At the time, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also threatened military action and demanded the return of Mohamed Bazoum, the elected President at the time.
He had been overthrown due to the military coup, and the ECOWAS wanted him returned safely.
It is no secret that France supports the ECOWAS, which is currently raising tension in the relationship between Niamey and Paris.
As of now, the bilateral relations between the two are believed to be at their lowest.
Air France banned
The ban on French airlines, including any tourist flights, came shortly after Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, revealed that the French ambassador to Niger had been taken hostage.
In the middle of September, he also revealed that the French diplomats present at the embassy, as well as tourists from the country, were being forced to survive on military rations.
In addition, the ban has now been extended beyond commercial flights and includes any special, operational, as well as military flights.
Unless a flight has been authorized before flying over the airspace in Niger, it will not be permitted to land in the country.
Niger reopened its airspace on the 4th of September, allowing tourists to return to their home countries.
But shortly after, tensions with neighboring countries of Niger, especially France, escalated when the military regime declared that the French ambassador would be expelled by the time August came to an end.
But the French authorities refused to back down, saying that the regime did not have the authority to demand an expulsion of the ambassador of France.
