Emirates Group to help up new Senegal Airline 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Dubai-based Emirates Group has agreed to provide commercial support and training to Senegal's new airline to help it start operations early next year from its planned hub in Dakar, the African country's capital.

Emirates Group and a top official of the Government of Senegal on Wednesday announced a joint agreement on the fourth day of the Dubai Airshow, which will conclude on Thursday. The government-owned group will assist the Senegalese upcoming carrier in the start-up and post launch phases. The agreement covers commercial support, technical expertise, training and aviation-related goods and services, Emirates said.

Senegal recently announced to launch a new, private sector-dominated national airline - Senegal Airlines - in early 2010 to replace Air Senegal International, which collapsed earlier this year. The airline will target destinations in Africa from
 its hub in Dakar.

There is no code-sharing agreement involved at the moment with the Senegal Airlines, a source in the group told Khaleej Times. Emirates is an established airline and it will provide full support mainly information technology solution to start this new airline, the source said.

"Emirates has a strategic interest in Africa and currently operates to 17 points within the continent. The Senegalese government approached us to support the start-up of their new carrier and participate in its future," Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline 
& Group, said.

Emirates Group will assist the Senegalese carrier in the start-up and post launch phases. The agreement will cover commercial support, technical expertise, training and aviation-related goods and services, Emirates said.

"Senegal is strengthening its aviation industry and is building a new international airport called the Blaise Diagne Airport. The new, technologically-advanced airport combined with a brand-new, modern airline will make Senegal a major aviation force in Africa as well as internationally," the minister responsible for air transport in Senegal, who is also son of the Senegalese president,Karim Wade, said. The UAE and Senegal have been collaborating on many fronts. Recently Dubai Port World, the world's fourth largest port operator, was awarded the concession to develop and operate the existing container terminal at Dakar, Terminal à Conteneur, and invest in a new container terminal at the port, Port du Futur.

In addition, the Jebel Ali Free Zone is developing a special economic free zone connected to Senegal's Blaise Diagne Airport. "I am confident these recent associations will strengthen the links our two countries share," Wadi said.