Born from the ashes of Senegal Airlines last April, Air Seneal should be operational latest by the beginning of 2017, revealed Senegal’s Prime Minister, Mouhamed Boune Abdallad Dionne, on July 4.

In an interview with L’Observateur, Mr Dione said “everything should be ready before the end of the year or in the beginning of 2017”.

“Air Senegal should in the long run become a key airline in the West African region like some of its success stories,” he added while highlighting that “Senegal should benefit from its geographical position and its oil and gas resources, which should be exploited in the coming years”.

Senegal’s Prime Minister also said authorities “were working with the best airlines developers to draw out a realistic and winning strategy (…) while waiting to get a strategic partner”.

With a debt exceeding FCFA60 billion at the end of 2015, Sénégal Airlines lost its operating licence in April 2016.