Air Senegal will halt flights to the United States in September 2024, as confirmed by EyewitnessesNews. Bookings to JFK airport are no longer being accepted for dates beyond September 19th, 2024.
The final flight from Dakar to New York will take place on September 16. Using an A340-300 leased from HiFly Malta, Air Senegal has been operating a twice-weekly service on this route.
Known for offering affordable flights from Freetown to JFK via Dakar, Air Senegal has been impacted by operational challenges and market conditions. The airline has also suspended services on various routes to Central Africa.
Amidst these challenges, a U.S. court ruling on August 21, 2024 granted American leasing firm Carlyle Aviation the right to seize four aircraft leased to Air Senegal due to $10 million in unpaid fees. The affected aircraft 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).
Following the dismissal of Alioune Badara Fall during a board meeting on August 1, 2024, Air Senegal appointed Tidiane Ndiaye as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ndiaye becomes the fifth CEO of the airline in the past seven years, as Air Senegal faces increased scrutiny in recent months.
