Air Sénégal and Carlyle Group reach historic settlement over aircraft lease dispute
The long-standing legal battle between Air Sénégal and the American aircraft leasing giant Carlyle Group has reached a definitive resolution. After months of intense negotiations, the Senegalese national carrier and its former partner have signed a landmark agreement, putting an end to a contentious dispute over the termination of a lease contract for four aircraft.
The breakthrough came as Tidiane Ndiaye, Air Sénégal’s Managing Director, secured the dismissal of the case filed before the Dakar High Commercial Court. This milestone followed the signing of a conciliation protocol between the parties, which also paved the way for Carlyle Group to withdraw its lawsuit in New York courts, effectively closing the international chapter of the dispute.
At the heart of this resolution lies a comprehensive agreement finalized on May 4, 2026, between Air Sénégal and the aircraft owners. The terms of this accord were formally approved by the court on June 25, 2026, marking the official end of the legal proceedings.
Full financial settlement clears the path to reconciliation
Under the terms of the agreement, Air Sénégal has fulfilled nearly all outstanding financial obligations, including unpaid lease payments and maintenance reserves up to the date of aircraft return. These liabilities were fully acknowledged by the Senegalese airline, which had consistently maintained its commitment to settling them.
The dispute centered on four aircraft leased to Air Sénégal: two Airbus A319s and two Airbus A321s. The new leadership under Tidiane Ndiaye decided against renewing these leases, citing both financial and operational concerns. High lease and maintenance costs, compounded by recurring technical issues, had placed an unsustainable burden on the airline’s already strained finances.
While the decision to terminate the leases was straightforward, the subsequent legal fallout was not. Carlyle Group initiated legal action against Air Sénégal, escalating the conflict before both parties opted to pursue a negotiated settlement, ultimately leading to this resolution.
