Moroccan-Senegalese airliner, great success of Rabat-Dakar cooperation

President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal on Tuesday lauded the Moroccan-Senegalese air company "Air Senegal International" as "the greatest success of our cooperation with Morocco."

President Wade made the statement in a speech on his country's achievements in 2002.

Air Senegal International achieved in three years its objectives set for five years, said President Wade, adding the company is poised to be the largest regional airliner in Africa with an international dimension. The company will service daily flights to Europe and the USA in cooperation with South African Airways, he announced.

The Moroccan carrier, Royal Air Maroc, holds 51 percent of the capital of the company, incepted in February 2001, while the Senegalese government holds 49 percent.

The company transported 250,000 passengers in 2002 against 125,000 in 2001 and plans to reach 350,000 passengers in 2003.

To meet increasing demand, the company has purchased two Boeing 737.

The company currently services flights to France, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Guinea. It plans to open new routes to Marseille, Lyon, Lisbon, Lagos, Freetown, New York and Johannesburg.