Air France extended ” until August 31 inclusive » the suspension of its flights to and from Mali and Burkina Fasoaccording to information from theAFP. As for flights to flights serving nigerthey are still suspended “ until further notice “.
Air France, main airline connecting Europe to Africa, had suspended its flights to Bamako (seven flights per week), Ouagadougou (five flights per week) and Niamey (four flights per week) on August 7 after the closure of the airspace of neighboring Niger, the scene of a coup on July 26. On August 11, Air France had already extended these connections until Friday. following the coup in Niger and due to the geopolitical situation in the Sahel region “. Mali and Burkina Faso lent their support to the new military regime in Niger.
The extension of the suspension of flights to Mali is not a surprise since the Malian National Civil Aviation Agency canceled Air France’s authorization to operate flights and warned the French company that its slots could be granted to another airline that requests it. This showdown is part of an increased context of tensions between Paris and Bamako. The two countries have suspended the issuance of their respective visas against the backdrop of a diplomatic crisis linked to the events in Niger, while France has classified Mali in the red zone.
