Air France permanently closes its local representation in Mali

Wednesday 17 June 2026 - 18:15

Air France has announced the permanent closure of its local representation in Mali, marking a further step in the airline’s withdrawal from operations in the West African country amid ongoing geopolitical instability in the Sahel region.

In a letter dated June 15, the airline confirmed that its representation office in Mali will cease activities as of June 30, 2026, without providing further details on the decision.

Air France has not operated flights to Bamako since August 2023, when it suspended services following the closure of Niger’s airspace after a military takeover. The airline had previously operated multiple weekly flights linking Paris with Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Niamey.

The suspension came during a period of heightened political instability across several Sahel countries, where military-led governments came to power between 2020 and 2023. Relations between these governments and France have since significantly deteriorated, contributing to a broader restructuring of international air routes in the region.

Following Air France’s withdrawal, other carriers temporarily filled the gap in service, including Turkish Airlines and Corsair. However, Corsair also recently suspended its Bamako routes amid rising security concerns following attacks attributed to armed groups operating in the region.

The closure of Air France’s local office reflects the long-term impact of political instability and security challenges on international aviation and connectivity in West Africa.