Niger looking for Morocco’s support to set up new airline company

Niger’s government has requested Morocco’s help for establishing a national airline carrier during a meeting held lately in Rabat between Moroccan Transport minister Abdessamad Kayouh and his Nigerien peer Abdourahamane Amadou.

“Niger wants to benefit from Moroccan expertise to establish its national airline,” said the Moroccan minister citing the Kingdom’s experience in airports modernization and readiness to provide this landlocked African country technical assistance and advanced training.

Niger is part of the Sahel countries (including Mali,Chad and Burkina Faso) that have adhered to the initiative launched by King Mohammed VI in 2023 to enable these African landlocked countries have access to the Atlantic Ocean.

In February,Niger announced its intention to set up a new airline company and backed the establishment of a common regional airline for member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (Burkina Faso,Mali,and Niger). The goal is to enhance connectivity and economic ties within the Sahel Alliance.

The previous flag carrier Niger Airlines was established in 2012 and started operations in 2014. It ceased operations in November 2022 after being temporarily grounded by the Nigerien authorities over safety concerns and has not resumed service since then.