Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – As of September 19, 2024, Air Senegal will discontinue its transatlantic route between Dakar (DSS) and New York (JFK), ending a three-year operation that was marked by challenges and low profitability. The 3,830-mile route, which currently operates twice weekly, has struggled to gain traction in a competitive market, despite its symbolic importance to the airline.

Air Senegal initially launched this route in September 2021 with flights extending to Baltimore (BWI), allowing the airline to serve both New York and Baltimore from Dakar. However, the Baltimore leg was discontinued in January 2023, leaving only the Dakar-New York service. Throughout this period, the airline faced operational hurdles, particularly due to the lack of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 safety rating for Senegal, which barred Senegal-registered aircraft from operating in the United States.

To circumvent this, Air Senegal used a wet leased Airbus A330-900 neo from Hi Fly Malta, with the aircraft technically registered in Malta and operated by a Hi Fly crew. This arrangement was far from ideal, as it involved high leasing costs and limited operational flexibility. In November 2023, the situation became more complicated when the jet used for this route, with the registration code 9H-SZN, was parked, presumably to be re-registered in Senegal for use on other routes. Since then, the New York service has been maintained with other wet leased Hi Fly aircraft.

Despite the symbolic value of maintaining a direct link between Senegal and the United States, the route’s financial viability was always in question. The aircraft utilization for this route was suboptimal, with the plane often sitting on the ground for over 16 hours per trip. Additionally, without any codeshare agreements in the United States to boost passenger numbers, Air Senegal struggled to fill seats, consistently averaging a load factor well below 70%, and at times, even below 50%.

The direct competition with Delta Air Lines, which offers more frequencies and greater connectivity from New York, only compounded the difficulties. Without the ability to match Delta’s extensive network or brand reputation, Air Senegal’s route never achieved the hoped-for success.

The decision to finally cut this route comes on the heels of a significant political shift in Senegal. A new president, who took office several months ago, initiated a comprehensive financial audit of state-owned companies to ensure responsible spending. The audit revealed the precarious financial position of Air Senegal, leading to the termination of this loss-making route.

As Air Senegal reassesses its strategy under the scrutiny of this new leadership, the discontinuation of the Dakar-New York route highlights the challenges faced by small national carriers in competing on prestigious international routes without the backing of strong financial and operational fundamentals.