The Civil Aviation Authorities of Burkina Faso and Mali (ANAC) have canceled Air France's authorization to operate its scheduled summer 2023 flights. This is in response to the carrier's abrupt decision to temporarily suspend flights to the two West African countries on August 7 due to the civil unrest in neighboring Niger.

Niger airspace remains closed

Niger underwent a military coup on July 26, which saw the presidential guard detain the country's democratically elected leader Mohamed Bazoum. The Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) gave the military junta until August 6 to reinstate the president. Following the expiration of the deadline, the junta shut the country's airspace as external powers threatened to intervene.

Photo: FlightRadar24.com

The airspace remains closed, and flights between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe remain chaotic. Several Airlines have been affected, reporting delays and cancelations. This week, carriers have had to reroute via Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mali, adding up to two hours of flight time.

Air France flight suspension

On August 7, Air France suspended its service to Bamako (Mali) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The airline said, "Due to the ongoing coup in Niger and the closure of airspace and Niamey-Diori Hamani airport, Air France will no longer serve Niamey-Diori Hamani airport until further notice. Air France is suspending flights to and from Ouagadougou and Bamako until August 11."

Photo: Air France

From Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the French carrier previously operated daily Boeing 777 flights to Bamako (BKO) and three weekly Airbus A330 to Ouagadougou (OUA). However, flights were halted as the airline assessed the geopolitical situation in the region in liaison with French authorities. Air France's interests were in ensuring the safety of its aircraft, passengers, and crew. It has extended the flight suspension until August 18.

Mali's response

Agence Nationale de l'Aviation Civile du Mali (ANAC) has responded by canceling Air France's authorization to operate flights for the rest of summer 2023. In a letter dated August 10, 2023, the Director General claims that the French carrier canceled flights without prior notification, inconveniencing passengers. Parts of the letter read;

"I acknowledge receipt of your correspondence quoted in reference informing me of the suspension of service to Bamako by your company from August 07 to August 11, 2023. Evoking reasons related to geopolitics in the Sahel region and security constraints for your customers and crew, you decided to cancel your flights without prior notification to the Malian authorities while causing inconvenience to passengers."

"This constitutes a notorious failure vis-a-vis the Civil Aviation Authority in accordance with the provisions of the authorizations to operate flights issued to airlines at the start of each IATA season, which clearly indicates that any modification must be notified at least 72 hours before the operation. I inform you that this failure leads to the cancelation of your authorization to operate flights of your summer 2023 season program approved by the Time Slot Allocation Committee (COHOR), and your slot could be granted to another company that requests it."

The CAA has invited the flag carrier to resubmit its schedule before resuming flights to Bamako per the air transport agreement between the Republic of Mali and France. Air France has not been available for comment. The service was to be reinstated yesterday, with the first flight scheduled to leave Paris at 15:50, arriving in Bamako at 19:30 UTC.

Burkina Faso's response

Burkina Faso's Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC-BF) has accused the French carrier of breaching the air transport agreement between France and the West African country following the August 7 flight suspension. ANAC-BF also claims that the suspension was made abruptly and without prior notice, therefore, inconveniencing passengers.

Photo: GC Map

Director General Thomas Hyacinthe cited a "serious breach" of articles 14 and 16 of the 1962 air services agreement signed in Paris. Hyacinthe urged the carrier to submit a new flight schedule for approval before it can resume its summer 2023 service.

Before the suspension, flights to Burkina Faso departed CDG at 14:35, arriving at OAU at 18:10. They continued to ACC in the evening before returning to CDG the following morning. According to FlightRadar24.com, the last flight was operated between CDG and ACC on August 10.

What do you think about Air France canceling flights to Bamako and Ouagadougou? Please let us know in the comments!

Source: Anadolu Agency, FlightRadar24.com