Air Senegal Battles Financial Turmoil and Operational Challenges

Carlyle Aviation Partners, a U.S.-based aircraft leasing company, is reportedly demanding 20 billion FCFA (approximately $32 million) for the purchase of four aircraft leased to Air Senegal. This demand comes despite Air Senegal having already paid 57.96 billion FCFA ($88.04 million) since 2018.

According to Senenews, Air Senegal is grappling with a severe operational crisis as the registrations for its leased aircraft expired on Jan. 18. Carlyle, which leases two Airbus A319s and two A321s to the airline, has refused to release the documents required for registration renewal. Additionally, Carlyle has requested an immediate payment of 11.45 billion FCFA ($17.67 million), adding to the financial strain on the Senegalese national carrier.

The situation is particularly challenging for Air Senegal, as two of the leased aircraft have been grounded for an extended period. The airline has labeled Carlyle’s demands as both “unrealistic and unfair,” with the newly appointed CEO Tidiane Ndiaye emphasizing in a letter on Jan. 13, that the delay is crippling operations. Despite the urgency conveyed, Carlyle has yet to respond.

Amid this standoff, Air Senegal is considering legal action against Carlyle, accusing the lessor of exploitative practices. The airline has also expressed concerns about Carlyle’s insistence on a letter of intent to purchase the aircraft at a price far beyond its financial capacity. Meanwhile, the airline is exploring temporary solutions to maintain its flight schedules, but the threat of bankruptcy looms large.

Compounding the financial difficulties is the prolonged grounding of an A330neo undergoing repairs in Europe. The airline has been forced to evaluate its fleet strategy, even hinting at a possible switch from Airbus to Boeing for future acquisitions.

Air Senegal recently resolved a similar dispute with Carlyle Aviation, clearing outstanding debts of $10 million. Reports from Senegalese media on September 2, 2024, indicated that this payment allowed the airline to avoid a potential legal battle in the United States, which could have jeopardized its operations.

The earlier conflict escalated when Carlyle secured a U.S. court order on August 21, 2024, to ground four of the leased aircraft due to unpaid debts. These aircraft include two A319s and two A321s leased between 2018 and 2021, as reported by Africa Intelligence.

The CEO discussed its challenges and plans in an interview with the Agence de Presse Sénégalaise (APS) earlier this month. Air Senegal, which inherited a debt of over 100 billion FCFA (approximately $153 million), faced significant hurdles in 2024, primarily due to an overambitious route network. Several international destinations, including New York, Milan, Barcelona, Lyon, Marseille, Douala, and Libreville, were cut.

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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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