Start-up carrier Senegal Airlines will launch operations tomorrow to destinations in West Africa.

Senegal's new national airline, which replaces the troubled Air Senegal International venture, will initially serve the following destinations from its Dakar base: Nouakchott, Mauritania; Banjul, Gambia; Bamako, Mali; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Conakry, Guinea and Abidjan in Ivory Coast.

The carrier will begin operations with two leased A320s, with a third scheduled to join the fleet in May, according to information published on its website. The carrier's first leased aircraft is registered as 6V-AIH.

Senegal Airlines signed a letter of intent with Airbus for two Airbus A330s and four A320s during the 2009 Dubai air show.

The airline plans to add destinations in Europe and Asia to its network in 2013.

The carrier, which is headed by former GoAir and MyAir chief executive Edgardo Badiali, is 64%-owned by the private sector.

Senegal Airlines could not immediately be reached for further comment.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news