Closure of Niger's airspace: what are the consequences?

In Niger, the putschists decided, Monday, August 7, to close the airspace "until further notice". A decision that comes as the ultimatum of ECOWAS came to an end Sunday evening. Consequences: no more planes can take off or land from Niamey airport. Overflights of the country are also prohibited.

The French plane sent to Niamey for the evacuation of French and European citizens on August 1, 2023 lands at Diori-Hamani International Airport. AFP - HANDOUT

Text by: Thomas Papin

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Concretely, how is this organized? From an operational point of view, the closure of Nigerien airspace is renewed every 24 hours by the putschists. In an official communication, they notify the National Civil Aviation Agency and the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa (ASECNA).

It is these two authorities that officially close the airspace. Putschists may also notify of certain exceptions.

Thus, according to our information, this Monday, August 7, several military aircraft were authorized to fly over Niger, namely a C17 of the US army, but also some aircraft, from Mali and Burkina Faso.

As for civilian aircraft, they are all banned from flying over Niger, without exception, even though it has already been several days since some companies cancelled flights to Niamey. After the coup d'état, on July 26, Royal Air Maroc and Air France had cancelled some routes.

This suspension of airlines also has an impact on other countries in the region, especially since Mali and Libya have also imposed restrictions on their airspace. This is a real headache for airlines for whom it is increasingly difficult to transit through or fly over the Sahel.

« The ban on overflights of Niger has no significant direct implications for the country »

The decision to close Nigerien airspace will have very little effect on Niger, unlike the rest of the African continent, as Didier Bréchemier, senior partner at Roland Berger, explains.

RFI: What does it mean to close an airspace exactly?

Didier Bréchemier : This means that no aircraft can fly over this airspace. When certain nationalities or origins consider that the airspace is closed, well, planes cannot fly over the territory of that country.

In concrete terms, what consequences will this have on Niger?

For Niger as such, this has consequences if it limits the type of countries that can operate at home. On the other hand, the ban on overflights of Niger has no significant direct implications for Niger, with the exception of the revenues that are given to each of the countries that are overflown . So he will have a small financial loss, but that is most certainly not the issue.

Would there be repercussions on other countries in the region or even trading partners?

There are two elements. The first is indeed the fact that countries allied or friendly to Niger will be able, if Niger accepts it, to enter the country. But above all, there is the impact of this ban for other African countries on limiting the connection between West and East Africa, especially since Libya and Mali also have overflight restrictions and some airlines avoid them.

So, this whole area of the Sahel will reduce connectivity and increase the cost of air transport, because airlines will have to fly longer and therefore consume more oil, or even, for routes between Europe and South Africa, land to make technical stopovers to deliver fuel and oil.

This Libya, Niger, Mali route, which is in the process of positioning itself on Africa, will impact the continent in the various connections and will also impact African and European airlines by increasing ticket prices or by reducing certain frequencies and will therefore harm, somewhere, all African countries.

" READ ALSO Niger: end of the ultimatum, the junta closes the airspace and fears an imminent "aggression"

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