Mali maintains suspension of Air France flights
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Malian authorities on Wednesday cancelled the authorisation given to the French airline, Air France, to resume flights to Mali from 13 October.
The Director General of the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), Colonel Drissa Koné, who had given permission for Air France to resume its flights "without reference to the hierarchy", was subsequently dismissed from his position.
On Tuesday, Air France announced that it would resume its services to Bamako via a Portuguese airline, EuroAtlantic Airways.
However, on Wednesday, the Malian authorities explained in a statement that the national aviation authority was currently examining Air France's request.
"As a result, Air France's flights remain suspended while the application is examined," said the statement issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
It added that "the flights were unilaterally suspended by the company without informing the (Malian) authorities and customers in advance in an appropriate manner".
Air France unilaterally suspended its flights to Mali and Burkina Faso on 7 August following the closure of the airspace in Niger following a coup against President Mohamed Bazoum on 26 July.
-0- PANA GT/IS/BBA/MA 12Oct2023
