After the military took power last July in Niger, the new rulers embargoed flight activities, including cargo services. However, meanwhile the new rulers have lifted the ban partially. An opportunity used by the Paris-headquartered general sales and service agent ECS in close collaboration with its Niamey-based Group member Niger Air Cargo to resume cargo flights to the landlocked African country (www.cargoforwarder.eu ….. 12NOV23).
The ECS Group is a household name within the wider air freight community of Niger. This primarily because already a decade ago ECS obtained an AOC from the authorities in Niamey – the only one provided to a company whose parent is headquartered in Europe.
The first flight following the seizure of power by the local militia, took place on 08OCT. Since then, a B747-400F belonging to the fleet of UK lessor Allied Aviation, is connecting Liège in Belgium with Niger’s capital Niamey once a week.
Niche product
Although the aircraft is capable of accommodating up to 120 tons per flight, the Niamey-bound capacity is limited to max 40 tons because the freighter continues its journey to Nigeria and Kenya unloading exports there before returning to Europe filled with Kenya harvested flowers.
“Our Niamey service is a niche product,” admits ECS CEO Adrien Thominet frankly. But one that is highly attractive “due to the current rate level of cargo consignments traveling from Western Europe to Central African destinations.” The agent’s flights are almost unrivaled, with only Azeri cargo carrier Silkway West serving Niger twice weekly, primarily for supplying relief goods to the local Red Cross and alike humanitarian organizations. “We are happy about the re-start of the weekly freighter link between Liege Airport and Niamey. This regular service is another important step to further grow the African network from LGG,” comments Torsten Wefers, VP Sales and Marketing,Liège Airport.
Foreigners keep exiting Niger
Following the lifting of the embargo, a couple of airlines from neighboring Arabian states like Morocco or Algeria also resumed their flight activities. But their contribution to cargo services is only marginal due to limited space for freight consignments offered by their passenger aircraft’s lower deck compartments. However, keeping supplies of medicines, technical equipment, food or consumer goods running to a certain degree is essential for keeping life going in one of the earth’s poorest countries. Since the generals seized power, the EU policymakers and many businessmen are circumventing the country. French and German soldiers, based on UN mandate to prevent the spread of Islamic terrorism, are pulling out with Russian mercenaries from the notorious Prigozhin force stepping in helping the new military regime to stay in power. This worsened the situation for a large number of local people who are exploited and deprived of any political and civilian rights.
To call Niger’s situation challenging is an understatement
Despite this rather gloomy situation it is instrumental to keep the lifeline running by supplying technical items, medicines, food and other crucial produce to Niger by air, emphasizes Mr. Thominet. And the executive mentions another rather social consideration that should be rated high: “The local team of our group member Air Cargo Niger engages for long in social activities, establishes new business relations or fortifies existing ones. Also, they organize reliable onforwarding solutions for goods that travel by road from Niamey Airport to remote locations.” Particularly the latter aspect is a daily challenge for many in a state where peace has become an almost unknown word.
