21 Feb 2024 | 11:09 AM UTC
Niger: French no longer allowed on flights to Niger without special authorization as of Feb. 21
Authorities instruct airlines to ban French citizens to fly to Niger without authorization as of Feb. 21. Reconfirm all reservations.
As of Feb. 21, authorities in Niger have reportedly instructed airlines to ban French citizens from flying to Niger without special authorization provided by Niamey. While Niger has not officially confirmed this, a growing number of reports indicate that some French travelers have recently been denied entry on arrival in Niger. It is unclear whether entry via land borders remains allowed. French nationals intending to travel out of Niger should not be affected.
Similar restrictions may be imposed at short notice in the coming weeks, including reciprocal measures from French authorities.
French nationals planning to travel to Niger should reconfirm all flight reservations and border crossing points before departure. Follow all official instructions. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations.
Nigerien authorities may have implemented the measure after the French embassy in Niamey announced in early February that it could no longer provide visas to Nigeriens. Since President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed following the July 2023 coup d'etat, relations between France and Niger have deteriorated. Previously, Niger imposed an indefinite ban on all French commercial and chartered flights from Nigerien airspace and expelled French soldiers based in the country, while the French Embassy in Niamey remains closed and consular assistance unavailable. As of Feb. 21, French authorities maintain their travel advice unchanged and advise French nationals against all travel to Niger.
