France, June 18 -- Air France is permanently closing its local office in Mali, where the French airline has not operated since 2023 because of the geopolitical situation across the Sahel.

According to a letter seen by AFP on Wednesday: "Air France's local office will cease operations with effect from 30 June 2026," the document dated 15 June said, without giving the reasons for the closure.

Air France - the leading airline connecting France and Africa - suspended its flights to Bamako, Ouagadougou and Niamey on 7 August 2023 after Niger closed its airspace following a coup d'etat on 26 July 2023.

The airline had been operating seven flights a week to Bamako, five flights a week to Ouagadougou and four flights a week to Niamey before th...