The answer is a resounding NO! or rather not yet! When someone has treated another like a sub-human, it might be hard to all of a sudden recognize the other person’s humanity. This is what Air France has been doing on the African continent. After helping to wipe out Air Afrique, it is no secret that Air France has been the main carrier servicing many African countries for the past decades, and it has enjoyed a perfect monopoly with super-hiked up prices… it is cheaper to fly to Paris from any African capital, than to fly to a neighboring country (story for another day).

On August 7, the commercial company, Air France, decided to take a political stand against the countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, cancelling its flights to those countries without as much as a notice, a real breech of contract, because of the coup d’etat in neighboring Niger. Air France suspended its flights to Mali (seven per week) and Burkina Faso (five) on August 7 after the closure of the airspace of neighboring Niger following the coup in Niger. Imagine all the passengers who had paid tickets? Air France’s service is notoriously bad in Africa, do you think that they reimbursed them? Why should the coup in Niger make Air France stop servicing Mali or Burkina Faso? Just because the countries are neighbors? Imagine a country has issues with say, Germany, then as a result its airline cancels all flights to neighboring Belgium, and Netherlands without as much as a notice… the height of disrespect! how does it make sense?

After the suspension of Paris-Bamako connections by Air France, the Malian authorities decided on August 11 to cancel the company’s authorization to operate this line.

Now Air France would like to resume flights in Mali and Burkina Faso. Air France was set to resume this Friday October 13, and Malian authorities have halted the process with more requests to Air France. If you were the Malian or Burkinabe governments, would you agree? Shouldn’t there be new conditions to the partnership, if it is meant to resume?

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