Air Senegal Halts U.S. Flights Amid Operational Struggles

Air Senegal has made notable adjustments to its flight operations, including the discontinuation of its Dakar-New York-JFK route. According to Aeroroutes on Aug. 23, the airline stopped accepting bookings for flights on or after Sept. 19, effectively ending its service on this transatlantic route.

The final flight from Dakar to New York is set to depart on Sept. 15, with the last return flight leaving New York on Sept. 16. Air Senegal had been operating this route twice a week, using an Airbus A340-300, leased from HiFly Malta.

Air Senegal began its U.S. operations on Sept. 2, 2021, initially offering flights from Dakar to New York-JFK with continuing service to Washington Dulles. The airline had initially intended to start flights between Dakar and Washington Dulles in September 2019, following South African Airways’ withdrawal from its route between these cities earlier that year. After South African Airways exited the Senegal to U.S. market, Delta Air Lines remained the only carrier offering nonstop flights between the two nations.

Central Africa Network Changes

In addition to its U.S. routes, Air Senegal has also suspended services on several routes to Central Africa. Affected routes include:

• Dakar – Cotonou – Libreville – Douala: Operating once weekly with an Airbus A319, with the last flight available on Sept. 14, 2024.
• Dakar – Cotonou – Douala – Libreville: Also operating once weekly with an Airbus A319, with the final flight on Sept. 19, 2024.

In 2022, Air Sénégal had already considered closing its routes to Cotonou, Douala, and Libreville, effective October 31 of that year. This plan to withdraw from Central Africa, initially intended to last until March 2023, was ultimately suspended. Last June, the airline resumed services to Milan, Barcelona, and Lyon-Marseille after five months of suspension. Although these European routes contributed to 11% of the company’s revenue, they accounted for nearly a third of its losses.

These decisions are part of Air Senegal’s broader efforts to navigate ongoing operational challenges and market conditions. The airline’s fleet, which currently includes eight aircraft, is facing the possible immobilization of half its capacity. This situation follows a legal ruling from a U.S. court on Aug. 21, 2024, granting American leasing firm Carlyle Aviation the authority to seize four aircraft leased to Air Senegal due to $10 million in unpaid fees. The aircraft affected by this ruling include two Airbus A319-100s and two A321-200s, leased since 2018.

The specific aircraft involved are two A319-100s (6V-AMA, MSN 2897, leased in November 2018, and 6V-AMB, MSN 3078, leased in May 2019) and two A321-200s (6V-AMC, MSN 1881, leased in November 2020, and 6V-AMD, MSN 1921, leased in February 2021).

In early August, Air Senegal appointed Tidiane Ndiaye as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the dismissal of Alioune Badara Fall during a board meeting on Aug. 1, 2024. Ndiaye is the airline’s fifth CEO in seven years. While no official reason was provided for Fall’s departure, Air Senegal has faced mounting scrutiny in recent months.

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Victor Shalton

Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.

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