Moroccan carrier, major share holder in Senegalese new carrier

Senegal and the Moroccan carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) signed in Dakar on Friday evening an accord setting up a new Senegalese carrier dubbed "Air Senegal international" with a capital of about $ 10.5 million (105 million DH).

Under the accord privatizing Air Senegal, RAM holds 51 % of shares while the state of Senegal holds the remaining 49 %. RAM will put a Boeing 737-200 at the disposal of the new carrier which services from Dakar internal destinations as well as regular international flights, including charters.

Senegalese tourism and air transport minister, Tijane Sylla, who attended the signing ceremony termed "judicious" the decision to chose RAM as strategic partner, for, he said it is reliable and competitive at the international scale and can open new prospects for the Senegalese carrier.

The official, Serigne Ahmadou Camara, who signed the accord on behalf of Senegal, said there will be no sacking as all the staff of Air Senegal will be integrated in the new carrier. He added that 5 % of the carrier capital will be later on ceded to the personnel.