Airlines in Mali suspend domestic, international flights due to fuel shortage

​​​​​​​By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - Several domestic airlines in Mali suspended local and international flights on Wednesday due to a fuel shortage, with the National Civil Aviation Agency fearing that the situation would last for several days.

Sky Mali, a private aviation company, announced in a statement that its flights from the Malian capital of Bamako have been canceled due to fuel supply issues, which have affected both domestic and international flights.

"Due to a fuel shortage at the Modibo Keita Senou International Airport, Sky Mali regrets to announce the cancelation of its flights," it said.

Fuel shortage has affected all airlines, Sky Mali said in the statement, adding that it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that its flights resume operations as soon as possible.

In a separate statement, National Civil Aviation Agency Director General Col. Yaya Toure said the situation could remain unclear until July 15, stressing airlines to notify passengers to reschedule their flights or find alternative options.

He said the suspension of flights is caused by a shortage of jet A1 fuel at the Modibo Keita Senou International Airport depot.

Malians responded to this situation by citing a problem with poor fuel stock management, and some accused the country of being in political transition following a coup.

Mamadou Ismaila Konate, a lawyer and former Malian Minister of Justice, said on X: "A shortage resulting either from unforeseen circumstances or from poor or lack of planning in the management and administration of stocks of a product that is at once necessary, sensitive and precious."

This is happening with impunity, with no accountability established, he said.

"Rerouted planes, stranded passengers, delayed freight, not to mention departing passengers forced to wait for days on the ground. Our countries must be capable of more efficient than coherent management. Pending the outcome of an investigation that must necessarily and usefully be commissioned," said the lawyer.