Airline Air Senegal
Senegal is a key country in Francophone Africa. Therefore, you will find several flight connections to Dakar from France.
Many of these flights are operated by Air Senegal, the country's flag carrier. Its headquarters are at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar. It is owned by the Senegalese government through the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations du Sénégal. It is also part of the Royal Air Maroc Group.
With a fleet of 9 aircraft serving 24 destinations in 8 different countries, it is a small airline.
However, it has a strong presence in European airspace. It serves Spain, Italy, and of course, France.
Some of the airline's flights are therefore subject to European law.
Air Senegal and European regulation
For the protection of air travellers, there is a harmonisation at the European level. This is the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
In addition to the Warsaw and Montreal Conventions, this regulation governs the operation of civil aviation throughout the European Community area.
Air Senegal serves three countries within this area: Spain (Barcelona-El Prat), Italy (Milan-Malpensa), and France (Marseille-Provence, Lyon-Saint-Exupéry, and Paris-Charles de Gaulle).
If your Air Senegal flight departs from one of these airports, it is covered by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
However, if it is heading to one of these airports, it is not covered. In this case, the regulation only applies to European airlines.
What are your rights on Air Senegal flights departing from Europe?
If your Air Senegal flight departs from a European airport, Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 guarantees you a number of rights.
The right to reach your destination
Internationally, this right is assured by the Warsaw Convention. It holds the airline responsible for the passenger.
If you have a boarding pass, valid documents, and present yourself on time for boarding, Air Senegal must take you to your destination. The European regulation provides additional details on this.
In the event of flight disruption, the airline must always take you to your destination. If your flight is cancelled, or if you are denied boarding due to overbooking, you are entitled to a replacement flight. This must be under conditions similar to the original flight.
If no replacement flight suits you, you are entitled to a cancellation with full refund. This is also possible if your flight is delayed by more than 5 hours.
However, note that if you accept the refund, you also waive any assistance and any compensation.
The right to assistance in case of significant delay
If your Air Senegal flight is delayed by several hours, you may incur additional expenses.
In the event of a significant delay, you are entitled to assistance from the airline. This includes providing you with food and drinks. If they do not provide these directly, they may cover your expenses at airport catering services.
If you need to stay overnight, again, Air Senegal must cover your accommodation expenses.
You are also entitled to two phone calls.
The right, under conditions, to compensation
If your flight departs from a European airport, you are entitled, under conditions, to a fixed compensation.
This is not always due. In the event of an incident, Air Senegal is only required to pay it if they are responsible, or if they did not notify you within a reasonable time.
Moreover, payment is not automatic; you must request it.
What is the amount of compensation?
The amount of compensation varies depending on the type of disruption and the distance travelled on your flight.
The European regulation sets a fixed scale. This may vary slightly depending on the type of disruption encountered.
In case of delay
It is not uncommon for a flight to be delayed. Compensation is only due for a significant delay. The duration depends on the length of your flight. The amount is:
- €250 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
- €400 for a non-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of 3 hours or more;
- €600 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of 4 hours or more.
If you take an Air Senegal flight departing from the European Union, this latter situation may apply to you.
In case of cancellation
If your flight is cancelled, the compensation levels are the same, but you are entitled to compensation from the outset.
However, these compensations are halved below certain thresholds. They change from:
- €250 to €125 for a flight of less than 1500 km with a delay of less than 2 hours;
- €400 to €200 for a non-EU flight of 1500 to 3500 km or an EU flight of more than 1500 km with a delay of less than 3 hours;
- €600 to €300 for a non-EU flight of more than 3500 km with a delay of less than 4 hours.
In case of overbooking
If your Air Senegal flight is overbooked, you may be denied boarding. In this case, you are entitled to compensation on the same scale as for a flight cancellation.
What reasons are excluded from compensation?
Compensation is not automatic. You must request it. Furthermore, Air Senegal reserves the right to refuse it.
They may do so:
- if they informed you of the disruption at least 15 days in advance;
- if they reroute you under the same conditions at the scheduled times;
- in case of extraordinary circumstances (geopolitical circumstances, strikes, bad weather, etc.).
In this last point, it is assessed on a case-by-case basis. A strike, for example, is only valid if it does not involve Air Senegal staff. Furthermore, a risk related to a technical problem is indeed the responsibility of the airline.
Are you entitled to compensation for your Air Senegal flight? Delayed has the answer
Have you experienced a delay, flight cancellation, or overbooking with Air Senegal? If you departed from a European airport, you fall under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Therefore, there is a chance that Air Senegal may owe you compensation.
Want to know what you are entitled to? Delayed helps you understand your rights.
Contact us and enforce your rights.