NIAMEY: Niger government has banned French airlines or aircrafts chartered by France to use its airspace, Western media reported on Sunday.
In a statement on the website of the Agency for Security and Air Navigation in Africa it said that Niger’s airspace is open for all national and international commercial airline, except French planes or planes chartered by France, including those belonging to the Air France fleet.
Niger airspace is closed for military, private flights
The message said the airspace is still closed for all military flights and private flights, except those with special permission from the authorities.
On September 4th, Niger reopened its airspace to commercial flights after a month of closure. On August 6th, Niger announced the closure of its airspace due to the risk of interference from the neighboring states.
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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has already threatened military intervention to restore President Mohamed Bazoum to power who was ousted in a coup on July 26th.
France has repeatedly expressed its backing for ECOWAS, while relations between Paris and Niamey have reached their lowest point after the coup.
Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron has said France will withdraw its 1,500 troops from the African country by the end of the year.
