Mali Airlines : un pavillon national encore cloué au sol
In a country where the skies have gradually closed since 2020, Malian authorities are showing ambitions to relaunch a national flag. On July 31, 2024, the Council of Ministers approved the creation of Mali Airlines, presented as a response to the "frustrations experienced by Malian passengers outside their country," according to the words of the Ministry of Transport, quoted by Jeune Afrique.
The mission assigned to this public company was to ensure domestic connections and reduce dependence on foreign carriers. "The creation of this company will improve population mobility between regional capitals," the government stated in its press release. But a year after the announcement, the project remains in its infancy.
Lacking planes, pilots, and even offices, Mali Airlines must build everything from scratch. Its director, Aristide De Balla Moro Sidibé, appointed in May 2024, has been tasked with recruiting and training a virtually nonexistent flight crew on site. As one expert interviewed by Jeune Afrique points out, "in Mali, these profiles are rare due to the absence of a dedicated sector and a robust national airline for years."
The context further complicates implementation. The lack of regular fuel in Bamako and the suspension of Air France flights since August 2023 have reduced air service. Only a few companies, such as Air Senegal, Air Côte d'Ivoire, and Turkish Airlines, are maintaining their services. "They cannot give up this market; there is enough money to be made on this route. To avoid being dependent on the whims of these companies, we need a national flag," explains the Ministry of Transport.
Established with its own funds, Mali Airlines will have to compete with Sky Mali, the only private operator on domestic routes. Authorities say they want to "take their time" to avoid the failures that marked Air Mali's previous experiences.
Commentaires (2)
Nous connaissons bien nos bidasses. Que des hâbleurs.
pour pouvoir voler il suffit de recruter au Sénégal, il y a beaucoup ,de voleurs la bas
Ca ne marchera pas. Comme avec les compagnies précédentes, comme avec Air Sénégal , comme avec AIr Ivoire, comme avec Nigeria Airlines, comme avec Cameroon Airlines......Ce n'est pas un problème africain....Même Sswissairlines a disparu :-))
Utilisez votre argent pour autre chose d'utile (écoles, dispensaires, médecins, etc) plutôt que de tomber dans le piège de la ....vanité!
Participer à la Discussion