DAKAR, Apr 09, 2009 (AFP) - Royal Air Maroc (RAM) no longer flies its own aircraft to Dakar and has repatriated one of its planes on loan to Air Senegal International (ASI) in an ongoing spat between the partners Thursday.
"The RAM planes are no longer coming to Dakar since Wednesday and under further notice. It is a stand-off between the two partners with each using the measures available to them," Air Senegal spokesman Matar Diop told AFP Thursday.
The decision is expected to cause disruptions on Air Senegal flights.
Diop remained optimistic that there was still a way out of the crisis. "The relations between the two countries (Senegal and Morocco) are so important that the heads of state will instruct that a solution must be found," he added.
According to the spokesman a RAM plane used by ASI which was in Cotonou, Benin, on Wednesday due to leave for Dakar with 106 passengers was suddenly "repatriated" to Morocco without explanation. The passengers made their way to Senegal with other companies.
Air Senegal International was created in 2000 with RAM holding 51 percent od the stakes in the company and the Senegalese state 49 percent. Since almost two years ago, the companies have been at odds with one another.
This week a Senegalese court ruled that RAM could not withdraw from the company. Late in 2007 the Senegalese state announced it was taking control of ASI accusing the RAM of bad management.
The Moroccans are pressing Dakar to take effective control of the company, saying they will withdraw otherwise.
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Copyright AFP 2009.
