Royal Air Maroc has temporarily suspended flights between Casablanca and Niamey in response to the closure of Niger’s airspace following an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ultimatum.
The ultimatum demanded the military council reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum to power, and when the deadline lapsed on Sunday night, Niger’s coup leaders announced the closure of the country’s airspace until further notice.
Sources from RAM who spoke to Hespress, AR confirmed the suspension of flights between Casablanca and Niamey on the day of President Bazoum’s ousting on July 26. However, other Moroccan airports and routes circumventing Niger were unaffected by this suspension.
Further insights revealed that no flights were scheduled on the day of the coup, July 26, and preparations were made to cancel the scheduled flight for July 27. In response to the evolving situation, Royal Air Maroc opted to temporarily halt its four weekly flights until conditions allowed for safe air navigation. The route typically connects Mohammed V International Airport and Diori Hamani Airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey. Notably, no dedicated crisis cell was formed within the airline to address this event.
On August 7, Niger’s coup forces promptly sealed the nation’s airspace in response to a potential military intervention announced by select West African Organization member states. Concurrently, defense leaders from these countries outlined a strategy for possible military intervention in Niger, specifying troop deployment and timing.
According to observations from flight tracking website “Flight Radar 24,” there were no active aircraft within Niger’s airspace after the putschists officially declared its closure on Sunday evening.
ECOWAS had earlier warned of possible force if President-elect Mohamed Bazoum wasn’t reinstated by Monday’s midnight deadline.
Responding to this, a junta spokesperson asserted the readiness of Niger’s armed forces to protect the nation. The coup leaders’ statement reiterated their decision to shut the airspace as a defensive measure against potential interference, underscoring that unauthorized breaches would trigger a robust and immediate response.
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