French passengers travelling to Niamey, Niger, are being refused boarding by several airlines following an order from Niger’s authorities stating that French passengers would need authorisation to board flights to Niamey.
The restriction on French passengers follows ongoing political tensions between the two nations arising from a coup in July 2023. French troops reportedly entered the old colony, resulting in the closure of airspace and a ban on French civilian and military aircraft.
According to simpleflying.com, Royal Air Maroc is complying with the order, and Tunisair will begin operating its flights to Niger via Ouagadougou.
The French government has denied receiving any official communication regarding the restriction on its nationals’ access to Niger, claiming this to be xenophobic.
In other news, the French government has reportedly suspended visas for several Nigerians who published their criticism of France.
