The airline had suspended the operation of its regular lines to the Sahel on August 7, 2023, abruptly withdrawing from the market a weekly global offer including 7 flights to Bamako, 5 connections to Ouagadougou, and 4 rotations to Niamey, following regional political upheavals.

The retraction of Air France's network is part of a deep reconfiguration of trade exchanges between Paris and the capitals of the Sahel, where the affirmation of national sovereignty redefines the conditions of commercial operation. The Malian junta's refusal to issue new flight authorizations after the suspension of connections precipitated the loss of market share for the historic company. The financial impact of the Sahel crisis had already been reflected globally by a drop of 161,000 passengers on the African network during the 2024 fiscal year. The void left by the French operator immediately prompted the repositioning of international competitors, notably Turkish Airlines, engaged in capturing business traveler and diaspora flows from the Sahel region.

The aeronautical market in the Malian capital is experiencing systemic instability linked to the evolution of local security risks, affecting even alternative operators. The French company Corsair, which had maintained regular connections with Paris, had to interrupt the operation of its lines until June 26, 2026, inclusive, following coordinated attacks targeting Bamako's logistical infrastructure. Navigation restrictions and the increase in aeronautical insurance premiums complicate the territorial continuity of the sub-region. The closure of the French company's counters seals the end of an exclusive operating model, forcing local travel structures to diversify their partnerships with Middle Eastern and North African carriers to maintain the country's economic openness.


Asaba

Tags: transport aérien air france mali sahel avion voyage turkish airlines compagnie aérienne crise sahélienne aéroport