BRUSSELS AIRLINES’ DAKAR-BANJUL FLIGHT CEASES By Sarjo Camara Singhateh on 17-01-11 (85 reads) News by the same author Brussels Airlines flights from Brussels via Dakar to Banjul have ceased with effect from 6 January 2011. This development was confirmed to Foroyaa by Mr. Geert Sciot, the airlines Vice President -External Communications/ Corporate Communication. As one of the most popular flights connecting the Banjul –Dakar-Brussels and back route, Brussels Airlines has now ceased operation as a connection flight between Senegal –Gambia and other West African Countries. This development came about on Thursday, 6th January when passengers transiting through Dakar to Banjul were not allowed to take the Brussels Airlines flight to their destination by the airport authorities in Senegal. After receiving the information, this reporter contacted the Brussel Airlines official, Mr Sciot, to shed light on the matter. We received a letter from the Senegalese Authorities that as from 6 January we were no longer allowed to operate flights to Senegal in combination with other destinations (For example we can no longer operate Brussels-Dakar-Banjul-Dakar-Brussels flights as we used to do for the last 8 years). We are only allowed to operate Brussels-Dakar-Brussels flights”, said Mr. Sciot. On what prompted this decision, Mr. Sciot said “We do not know the reasons for this decision as we had the traffic rights to operate flights to Dakar in combination with a stop in another West African Country.” He added that they have now decided to operate daily Brussels-Dakar-Brussels flights with an extra aircraft. “So we operate daily to Senegal (no flights are cancelled and all passengers were accommodated) but the flights are no longer combined with another destination in the region.” The Brussels Airlines Vice President-External Communications/ Corporate Communication said they can unfortunately no longer sell tickets between Dakar and Banjul as they are not allowed to combine both destinations. He assured that all the passengers will be receiving a full refund. Mr. Sciot however said that the direct flights coming to the Gambia from Brussels are not affected as they now combine Banjul with other West-African destinations, adding that there is no impact on the passengers. He concluded that efforts are being made to normalise the situation and that Brussels Airlines together with the Belgian and European Authorities are in contact with the Senegalese Authorities in order to find a solution to the current issue. He said these discussions are ongoing and as such cannot comment on them at the moment and expressed hope that a solution would be found as soon as possible
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Posted - 17 Jan 2011 : 15:39:06
