Senegal’s airlines struggle as Covid-19 stops people flocking to beaches and forests

Hand-washing platforms are set up at the entrance of the Massalikul Jinaan Mosque for Friday prayer in Dakar as mosques were re-opened for congregational prayers in Senegal after a two-month break, on May 15 2020. Picture: ALAATTIN DOGRU/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES.Launching an airline in Africa is a notorious challenge in a continent and sector where opportunities are often crimped by regulations and national champions are dominant.

The reason is because the company has to ensure its planes meet standards of airworthiness and pilots carry out at least three take-offs and three landings every three months — requirements for retaining their commercial flying licences. Late on Thursday, the government announced that the suspension of all flights in and out of the country would be extended until June 30.

The International Air Transport Association estimates the crisis will inflict a hit of $314b on airlines’ turnover in 2020, equivalent to a fall of 55% over 2019.Such talk is grim news for Senegal’s three airlines, the biggest of which is the national flag carrier Air Senegal, founded in 2016, which specialises in scheduled flights between West Africa and Europe.In the middle is Transair, which pitches to both markets — scheduled and charter — with a special eye on tourism.

Seeking to dampen the effects of the crisis, the government has earmarked 77-billion CFA francs in support for the tourism and aviation sector. There is a “risk of bankruptcy” in the direst scenarios, he said, but insisted that he remained hopeful.

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