Air Sénégal (HC, Dakar Blaise Diagne International) has made arrangements to continue operating amid expected fuel shortages at Dakar Blaise Diagne International for the coming weeks.
In a statement, the airline said the West African country’s fuel handling authority (SMCADY) had announced several weeks of fuel supply disruptions, starting on April 20.
“Air Senegal informs the public that all arrangements have been made at its level, in order to be able to continue its operations during the announced period. The company is therefore keen to reassure its passengers that its usual flight programme will run normally with the same schedules,” the statement read.
From April 17, 2022, all air operators at Blaise Diagne International Airport were required to transport enough fuel to secure their return flights, the airport management said in a statement shared on social media. However, exceptional waivers may be granted, upon request, by the Senegalese civil aviation authority (ANACIM), it said.
The airport will remain open for operation. Senegalese authorities had taken all necessary measures and had deployed emergency solutions.
The airport management confirmed it had been informed by the SMCADY about the fuel supply shortage. The disruption was blamed on “an unfavourable international situation” and the current unprecedented price of fuel.
AFP reported that Senegalese energy minister Sophie Gladima, at a news conference on April 19, told reporters that fresh fuel supplies were due to arrive the same day. "The situation is very tough, but there is no shortage of supplies," she said.
A spokesperson for Air France confirmed to ch-aviation that flights from Dakar to Paris CDG were stopping to refuel on the Canary Islands.
