The political crisis in Niger continues to cast a shadow over the region which has sparked a series of airline responses, affecting connectivity and travel in the West African region. Air France has made the decision to extend its flight suspension to Bamako, Mali and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso until August 31, in response to the complex situation that has unfolded since Niger’s airspace closure.
Extension of Flight Suspension
The closure of Niger’s airspace on August 7 had a cascading effect on Air France’s flight operations to neighboring countries. In response to the closure of Niger’s airspace, the French carrier swiftly suspended its flights to Niamey, the capital of Niger, where it operated four flights per week. However, the impact extended beyond Niger’s borders, leading Air France to suspend its flights to Bamako, Mali (seven flights per week), and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (five flights per week).
The diplomatic landscape further complicated matters when Mali and Burkina Faso demonstrated solidarity with the new military regime in Niger. As a result, the government of Mali revoked Air France’s operating rights and withdrew its authorization for the airline’s flights. This move exacerbated tensions between Paris and Bamako, contributing to a heightened atmosphere of uncertainty.
In a bid to assess the evolving situation, Air France initially extended the suspension of flights to Mali and Burkina Faso until August 13th. However, as the geopolitical complexities continued to unfold, the airline has now announced the further extension of the flight suspension until August 31st.
Uncertainty Looms
While the suspension is expected to last until at least August 31st, the airline’s future actions will depend on the evolving diplomatic and security situation in the region. The closure of Niger’s airspace has cast a shadow over air travel in the broader Sahel region, impacting flight operations and connectivity.
