Mali to Launch State-Owned Airline Amid Security and Travel Challenges

Mali announced the launch of a state-owned airline more than ten years after its last national airline ceased operations. The new airline, Mali Airlines-SA, aims to service regional capitals in the country. The move is against a backdrop of security challenges and a recent inability to refuel commercial aircraft in Bamako.

Mali will establish a state-owned airline, Mali Airlines-SA, more than a decade after the closure of its last national airline, the government revealed on Wednesday night. The new airline aims to service regional capitals, according to a statement from the military-led government.

Mali, which spans the Sahel and shares 7,420 kilometers of border with seven countries, faces significant road travel dangers due to a separatist rebellion and jihadist insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. These conflicts have resulted in numerous deaths of Malian soldiers and their Russian allies in recent days.

The Council of Ministers adopted draft texts to create and approve the airline during their weekly meeting. This development follows Mali's recent inability to refuel commercial aircraft in its capital Bamako due to fuel shortages, impacting flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.

(With inputs from agencies.)