How Mali locked the return of Air France until its total closure

Air France announced on June 15, 2026 the closure of its local representation in Mali effective June 30, following over two years of refusals by Malian authorities to allow resumption of flights. The company had suspended service to Bamako on August 7, 2023. A planned resumption in October 2023 was revoked within 48 hours after the dismissal of civil aviation director Drissa Koné. Subsequent attempts (September 2024, July then September 2025) all failed, leading to the office closure.