Air Senegal launches its Paris-Dakar route

Air Senegal had to revise its plan a few days back just before the inauguration of its first long-haul flight between Paris and Dakar. The Senegalese company was expected to take delivery of its first A330neo on January 31 in Toulouse to make its inaugural flight to Dakar. But, Airbus and Rolls Royce are encountering some delivery delays.

According to Air Senegal, "there is no contractual delay for the delivery of the aircraft with Airbus". But Rolls Royce seems to be facing a ramp-up in the production rate of its Trent 7000 engine. This situation is impacting the A330neo delivery schedules. It has led to a shift in the availability and commercial commissioning of the Air Senegal A330neo. The Senegalese airline could nevertheless undergo its first flight test this Tuesday, January 29, 2019. The aircraft is in its final testing process.

The company is doing its utmost to ensure the first Paris-Dakar long-haul flight on February 1, 2019. The Senegalese airline will operate this route with an A340 leased from Hi-Fly. The aircraft has already been operated by Emirates and recently leased by Air France and Corsair on the Senegal destination. The aircraft will operate this route until the delivery of the A330neo most probably during the second half of February.

Air Mauritius is also facing delays. The Mauritian company was supposed to take delivery of 2 A330neo (the first in Africa) in October and November 2018. According to latest news, the first delivery is now scheduled in February.