Air Senegal will be ending its route to the United States, which it launched a few years back, as reported by AeroRoutes. I can’t say I’m surprised, and if anything, I’m amazed it lasted this long.
In this post:
Air Senegal cuts Dakar to New York route
As of September 19, 2024, Air Senegal will be discontinuing its 3,830-mile route between Dakar (DSS) and New York (JFK). The route currently operates twice weekly with the following schedule:
HC407 Dakar to New York departing 4:00AM arriving 9:00AM
HC408 New York to Dakar departing 1:30AM arriving 1:50PM
The airline launched this route back in September 2021. At first, the flight operated all the way to Baltimore (BWI), so the airline operated a tag flight between New York and Baltimore, so it could serve both markets in the United States with a single transatlantic route. However, in January 2023, the airline pulled the plug on the Baltimore tag flight, just keeping the service between Dakar and New York.
Another interesting twist with this route has been that it has been operated by a wet leased aircraft. Senegal doesn’t have a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 safety rating, meaning Senegal-registered aircraft can’t operate flights to the United States.
While Air Senegal had two Airbus A330-900neos in its fleet, one of those planes was technically registered in Malta, to wet lease operator Hi Fly Malta. So that plane had been used for service to the United States, with a Hi Fly crew.
However, in November 2023, that jet, with the registration code 9H-SZN, was parked. It’s my understanding that the aircraft is being reregistered in Senegal, so it can be used on other routes, without needing to use another operator. Meanwhile the New York service has been flown with other wet leased Hi Fly aircraft.
I’m not surprised this route didn’t work out
Air Senegal (in its current form) only launched operations in 2018, and is a government owned airline. It seemed pretty clear to me that the motive for this route was prestige rather than profitability:
- The aircraft utilization for this route is horrendous, as the plane sits on the ground for more than 16 hours with each trip
- A route is especially expensive to operate and hard to justify when you’re leasing a plane from another airline, as you know what the direct costs are
- Air Senegal didn’t establish any codeshare agreements in the United States, to increase passenger numbers, so it provided little reach in the United States beyond New York
- Air Senegal is competing directly with Delta in this market, and Delta has a lot more connectivity in New York, more frequencies, and a better reputation
- Air Senegal has consistently averaged a load factor of well under 70% on the route, and in some periods, even well under 50%
Why is this route suddenly being cut now, when presumably it has lost money for the past three years? Several months ago, Senegal appointed a new president, who demanded an in-depth financial audit of companies owned by the state, to make sure they were spending money responsibly.
I have to imagine that wasn’t a pretty exercise for Air Senegal, and that’s why we’re now seeing this route cut.
Bottom line
As of September 2024, Air Senegal will discontinue its flight to New York. This was first launched in September 2021, though it’s pretty clear the airline hasn’t made any money in the market. With Air Senegal under increased financial pressure from the government, it’s pretty clear why this route is being axed.
What do you make of Air Senegal cutting New York flights?
I flew with them once and they screwed me over viciously with repeated delays followed by an ultimate cancelation; as well as multiple delays on the return, resulting in me returning some 14 hours later than scheduled. In both directions, their Customer Service practices were abhorrent. FOOLISHLY, I chose to give them a second chance, and booked another round-trip flight from JFK to DSS and, again, they screwed me and the other passengers, flatly refusing...
I flew with them once and they screwed me over viciously with repeated delays followed by an ultimate cancelation; as well as multiple delays on the return, resulting in me returning some 14 hours later than scheduled. In both directions, their Customer Service practices were abhorrent. FOOLISHLY, I chose to give them a second chance, and booked another round-trip flight from JFK to DSS and, again, they screwed me and the other passengers, flatly refusing to give us any true information about what was going on and when, if ever the flight would get out. Several hours late, we eventually got out. Then on the return, we got screwed and ultimately had to get bussed to some place that was supposed to be a hotel, but much more closely resembled an abandoned mine shaft - replete with tumbleweeds and rooms without working AC or televisions! We stayed there for about 6-7 hours (after the multiple delays we had at the airport before we were bussed out), and were treated to a bread sandwich before we left.
I operate a tour company that brings Americans to Senegal to experience the country, its culture, and its people. And I was forced to patently refuse to book any of my groups on Air Senegal - opting instead to pay between 2-3 times the costs to fly on Delta, due to Air Senegal's chronic unreliability and abysmal service. I just couldn't risk my business and my customer's experience with me, with Air Senegal's track record.
And, as if those experiences were not enough, I later found myself needing to travel to Banjul, Gambia on business and took a chance booking Air Senegal on that route - figuring their domestic operations must be much better than my international experiences, lest they would not have been able to stay in business for any length of time. *** WRONG!!! *** While going to BJL was almost painless, my route back was tragic - through no fault of Air Senegal. My car service vehicle broke down enroute to the airport; and, after some roadside assistance proved unhelpful, the company was eventually able to get me a replacement vehicle to carry me the remainder of the way to the airport - ultimately resulting in me needing to do a full sprint to the check-in counter with my laptop and two full pieces of luggage physically taxing me on my run. I arrived at the counter 3 minutes beyond the 90 minute cutoff time to check and begged and pleaded with the agent to allow me to make that plane. It was late; there were no lines at Security; and I would have thought that - since I could have made the flight without causing any delay - the agent might have been sensitive to the ordeal I had just endured, trying to get there, and would have allowed me to get on the flight. *** WRONG!!! *** He was pretty indifferent to my plight and flatly refused to let me check-in. In fairness, I can't complain TOO loudly here because I WAS 3 minutes late; but I thought that Teranga or Customer Service inclinations might come save me, but no help came. So I sat there and listed to the boarding calls for two hours before the aircraft closed and departed. The young lady working the ticket counter at Air Peace rolled her eyes at the gentleman and muttered about her not understanding why he was acting that way, with us all knowing that I could have easily still made that flight. And, after a couple hours, I had to purchase a counter ticket to fly on Air Peace. OUCH!! THAT was expensive! And by the time I ultimately arrived in Dakar, my hotel had closed for the night and I was almost forced to sleep outside until the following morning, but my cab driver pittied me and put me up for the night/morning. Thanks for the memories, Air Senegal! And thank you Macky Sall.
This is good news I am so happy air Senegal is pull out from the Dakar jfk airport line I will never miss this airline company I present my condeleances I hope in future they will learn from they mistake and learn how to respect they customer's goodbye air Senegal
I have an Air Senegal ticket for October 18th from JFK to Dakar. Air Senegal did not inform me of the flight cancellation. I just happened to be looking up a flight for a friend in November and saw there there were none - zero! They better make this right. If anyone has a remedy, please advise.
Not happy about this - I always travel Air Senegal to go to SL even though sometimes it was not the best but I prefer them since it’s African base. Am gonna miss Air Senegal
I use to personally tell Sierra Leoneans to use them
The most useless airline along with its very rude crew. Glad they are no longer operating here in the USA with their substandard service.
Bring back South Africa Airlines!
They were always late and not the best service (like no wifi) but they always had better prices for last minute travel. Who can get a one way flight to Dakar for $358 two days prior. And you could carry 3 bags of luggage. Oh well.
I traveled from FNA Sierra Leone to New York last month. It was the shortest travel time to the USA from Sierra Leone total time of 14 hrs.
The only draw back for me was having Portuguese crew instead of a Senegalese crew.
This is a great loss for us.
This could be a productive route with proper management.
So true
We tried to fly Air Senegal internally from Saint Louis to Dakar but the plane never arrived and no one knew where it was. Also never got a refund. Heard from friends who live in Mali that they were lucky when their Air Senegal flight departed with just a 5 hour delay. Terribly run company.
Airsenegal didn’t reimburse my 2 luggages stolen by that company employees in Sénégal .my name is ange Nandatche.i was supposed to flight on marsh 2nd 2024 from Abidjan to arrive at jfk on marsh 3rd. I finally arrived in USA on marsh 10th with the lost of 2 luggages. I have not yet received any compensation for my stolen luggages in Dakar. I’m still looking for the right USA department to help me get the...
Airsenegal didn’t reimburse my 2 luggages stolen by that company employees in Sénégal .my name is ange Nandatche.i was supposed to flight on marsh 2nd 2024 from Abidjan to arrive at jfk on marsh 3rd. I finally arrived in USA on marsh 10th with the lost of 2 luggages. I have not yet received any compensation for my stolen luggages in Dakar. I’m still looking for the right USA department to help me get the right money for the lost. My email address is [email protected]
You can call me at +12156807765. Please leave a message if you can not reach me.
LOL!!! Im Crying....ROTFL! This is most Unserious post ever. HAAAAAA!
Did Senegal appoint or elect a president. Why such bias when writing about Africa?
They're did the right thing
They're can't handle it so better go period
The reason why they aren’t making any money is because they have horrible service! They are always late, never on time, bad attitudes.. nobody wants to fly with them.
How do I get my refund? Because I have a return flight with them from JFK to Dakar on the 30th November 2024
You are clever enough to post a question but not clever enough to contact the airline directly to enquire about the refund process. Incredible
Air Senegal is the funniest airline. Expect 6-8 hour delays with people saying the plane is here while it hasn't even taken off yet. Actually quite nice when onboard, but I can see why this route was cut. Dakar is one fun city to go out in.
Air Sénégal had to go. An airline that treats its passengers bad and couldn’t care less about their well-being. It all makes sense now. Bye bye. And honestly, it is not a loss.
Question!
Before air senegal They had south african airways and delta. Since SA is down, Now it is delta (3 times a week) from jfk to dakar and senegal airlines. If air senegal pulls out, I wonder how people will go to senegal with only 3 direct flights a week.
I miss South African Airlines. Even their food was the best
African leadership have learned nothing in the last 60+ years. Each country is trying to do the same thing 54 times. Each with some population, every time failing. It’s a population game and it’s a team sport. Unite that’s the only way to realize your power.
Well, across the continent, if countries still did not have interference from former colonial powers and their puppets running governments in Africa, the story would be different. Unfortunately, those who have/have had a Africa first and unity concept as you put it have all been taken out, ousted from power or frozen out by the West/former colonial powers. Just look at Patrice Lumumba or Thomas Sankara as examples
This was a long time coming and honestly not unexpected.. I wonder how Kenya Airways is doing on NB0-JFK and if that'll be next? with where NBO is it's pretty convenient to take an ME3 carrier to JFK anyway
Kenya Airways stated earlier this year that the JFK route it's operationally profit on it's own (they make profit after removing direct operation costs)
But considering the whole network, and management cost, it's still in a loss (cost not directly related to operate the flight)
They actually recently increased frequency on the route and are expecting full profitability from ending of 2025
If you follow the monthly AviaDev Africa Insight route podcast with myself and Jon Howell, we had KQ's Head of Network and Alliances (Martin Gitonga) as a guest earlier this year and he was very candid about the fact that the turning point for the JFK-NBO route was when Delta put their code on the flight (as opposed to just feeding the flight at JFK).
Interesting facts about the Senegalese president, Diomaye:
- His grandfather fought for France during World War I as a Senegalese Tirailleur
- Lawyer and former tax inspector
- Arrested in April 2023 under dubious political circumstances
- Released in March 2024 after the prior president agreed to hold elections (as mandated by the Senegal constitution)
- Campaigned on a platform of creating jobs, reducing corruption and and reexamining energy contracts
...
Interesting facts about the Senegalese president, Diomaye:
- His grandfather fought for France during World War I as a Senegalese Tirailleur
- Lawyer and former tax inspector
- Arrested in April 2023 under dubious political circumstances
- Released in March 2024 after the prior president agreed to hold elections (as mandated by the Senegal constitution)
- Campaigned on a platform of creating jobs, reducing corruption and and reexamining energy contracts
- Elected with 54% of the vote, becoming Senegal's first opposition candidate to win election since its independence (1960)
- Is polygamous, as is traditional in his tribe, and has two wives
He's not the first opposition candidate to win an election but the third. Previous winners include Abdoulaye Wade against outgoing Abdou Diouf (2000), Macky Sall against outgoing Abdoulaye Wade (2012).
As an outsider here but this statement seems wrong.
"Is polygamous, as is traditional in his tribe".
So is he running the country under the constitution or tribe traditions.
That's a way more interesting fact than how many wives he has.
Anthony, seriously what's your point ? Am confused
I used them to go to Dakar.I did it because of the name thinking it will feel like home.The device was bad.Lot of complaints from family and friends about this company.
Good for Delta's JFK-DSS route
I saw one of the A330s in CDG last month. Beautiful livery, but an unfortunate business...
When they started up flights in 2018, I actually joked that I'd give them five years before they went belly up. Looks like they outlived my prediction by an entire year.
Ah well, time to start the planning for Senegal's 5th national airline in just over 20 years (following Air Afrique, Air Senegal International, Senegal Airlines, and Air Senegal)
Sounds like you're taking bets on the next name!
Senegal didn't "appoint" a new president, they elected him.
Just sayin'....
Senegal new Government had appointed a new Air Senegal CEO by the name of Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye. A Senegalese aeronautics expert.
Yes the new government just appointed a new CEO. PDG in French.
Thank you
Quick, fly it for a review before the route ends!
You beat me to it, was going to say same!
government can not run a profitable business that is complex add low margin as airline
"government can not run a profitable business that is complex add low margin as airline"
Did you put the slightest bit of thought into that statement?
~Signed,
Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airline, Qatar Airways, China Southern, etc.