Senegal’s Transport Minister Yankhoba Diémé has intervened in the dispute between Air Sénégal and Dublin-based Carlyle Aviation Partners and ordered the removal of aircraft from Dakar Blaise Diagne International.
The dispute involves four aircraft leased to Air Sénégal, with the lessor alleging failure to maintain and pay rent. This led to a legal proceeding for repossession.
In June 2025, the lessors invoked the Cape Town Convention to repossess the aircraft after Air Sénégal ignored a previous repossession order from the Dakar Commercial Court in March 2025.
The lessors claim Air Sénégal unlawfully operated the aircraft for months following lease termination in August 2024, resulting in at least one aircraft becoming unairworthy.
On July 30, a Dakar Commercial Court lifted a freeze on Air Sénégal’s funds related to the dispute, but comment from the airline regarding the situation has not been received.
Transport Minister Yankhoba Diémé shared, “Any further delay would incur a daily penalty of XOF1 billion CFA francs.”
