Air Sénégal International was an airline with its head office in Dakar, Senegal.[1] It was a regional carrier operating a scheduled domestic network and regional flights to neighbouring countries. It also operated charter and air taxi flights. Its main base was Dakar-Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport.[2]
On April 24, 2009, the airline suspended all of its operations.[3]
History
The airline was established on 1 February 1971 as Air Sénégal and started operations on 23 February 2001. It was restructured as an international carrier following the acquisition of a majority stake by Royal Air Maroc in 2001. It was part of Groupe Royal Air Maroc, who owned 51% of the company's shares, with 49% being held by the Senegalese government.[4]
In 2006 the airline disclosed losses of $16 million.[6] In 2007, the Senegalese government stated that effective 5 November 2006, it would purchase a further 26% of the airline, raising its stake to 75%.[6][7] The Senegalese government stated that support from Royal Air Maroc had "shown its limitations", and that the airline needed to be recapitalised.[7]
In late 2009, a new airline was announced to replace Air Sénégal International. The new airline was called Senegal Airlines and had a fleet of 4 Airbus A320 aircraft and 2 Airbus A330 aircraft.[8] Operations commenced in January 2011,[9] but ceased by April 2016. Senegal Airlines was then also replaced as flag carrier by Air Senegal, which began operations in May 2018.[citation needed]
^"RAM infuses fresh capital into Air Senegal". Panapress. 2007-04-11. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-05-25. RAM holds 51 percent of the shares of ASI, while the Senegalese government owns the remaining 49 percent.
