Air Senegal is reducing its flights to France, Spain, and Italy. Air Algérie says it is “ready” to strengthen its Algiers-Dakar route and its hub at Algiers International Airport.
The Senegalese airline has decided to no longer serve seven of its international destinations, including Marseille and Lyon in France, two cities where the Algerian airline is well established, due to the presence of a large Algerian community.
Air Senegal’s decision, which was announced on Wednesday, September 4, aims at “the rationalization of resources, the insufficiency of the fleet, and the lack of profitability of certain services.”
It comes at a time when the Senegalese airline is facing criticism over its quality of service. Its small fleet of around ten planes does not allow it to properly provide international routes.
Air Senegal will interrupt its flights to Marseille, Lyon, Barcelona…
Air Senegal will begin its service reduction plan on September 19 by canceling flights to New York, then the following day, by interrupting its services to Milan, Barcelona, Libreville, and Douala starting on September 20. Starting on September 22, Air Senegal will no longer serve the French cities of Lyon and Marseille.
According to the travel and tourism website VVA, Air Senegal’s decision could be a “golden windfall” for Air Algérie and Algiers airport. The national airline operates regular flights between Algiers and Dakar. It carries many passengers from Senegal to Europe and other international destinations.
The Algiers – Dakar line, which is one of the most profitable destinations for Air Algérie in Africa, represents a strong link in the project to transform Algiers airport into an international hub between the African continent, Europe, Canada, and Asia.
With the withdrawal of Air Senegal, Air Algérie can recover some of the Senegalese company’s passengers who travel to Marseille, Lyon, Barcelona, and Milan.
Air Algérie is ready to strengthen its Algiers-Dakar service
The communications department of Air Algérie assured that the national airline is ready to increase the number of flights with Dakar if “demand requires it”.
It is planned. Strengthening the Algiers – Dakar line of Air Algérie is part of the program. During the summer, the company provided five flights per week (Algiers – Dakar). Currently, we are at six weekly flights. In winter, we will move to a daily flight,” affirms the communication management of the Algerian public airline, adding that Air Algérie is “ready to further increase” the number of flights between Algiers and Dakar “if demand requires it.”
However, with France, “we remain within the limits of air agreements and operating authorizations,” added the same source.
