IVORY COAST · AVIATION
Key Facts
- —The country Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) is a West African nation and the world’s largest cocoa producer. Abidjan is its economic capital.
- —What happened On Monday 19 October, Air France and Air Côte d’Ivoire announced a codeshare on Paris to Abidjan, starting Sunday 25 October.
- —How it works Each airline puts its own flight code on the other’s Paris to Abidjan flights, so one booking can use either carrier’s schedule.
- —Who is involved Air France, the French flag carrier, has been a shareholder in Air Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivorian national airline, since it was founded in 2012.
- —Miles The two loyalty programmes, Flying Blue and sMiles, are to be linked at the end of 2026.
- —What comes next Air Côte d’Ivoire’s chief executive says the partnership will extend to other Air France destinations before the end of June 2027.
- —Still open Fares, how many seats each carrier will offer, and which onward cities come first.
The Air France Abidjan codeshare, announced on Monday 19 October, starts on Sunday 25 October. Air France and Air Côte d’Ivoire will sell seats on each other’s Paris flights, so one ticket can carry either airline’s code.
For US travellers headed to Ivory Coast, the deal widens the choice of departure times on the main European route to Abidjan. It follows a year of friction between Abidjan and Paris over who may fly this route.
What the Airlines Announced
Air Côte d’Ivoire published the announcement on its website. It says the airlines signed the Air France Abidjan codeshare in Ajaccio, Corsica, at a meeting of French-speaking air carriers.
From 25 October, Air France will put its code on flights that Air Côte d’Ivoire operates between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Abidjan-Félix Houphouët-Boigny airport. Air Côte d’Ivoire will sell Air France’s flights on the same route under its own code.
Why the Two Airlines Are Working Together
Air France is France’s flag carrier, and it has been a shareholder and strategic partner of Air Côte d’Ivoire since 2012. Anne Rigail, Air France’s director general, called the Air France Abidjan codeshare a new stage in that cooperation.
Laurent Loukou, director general of Air Côte d’Ivoire, called it a first step toward other Air France destinations before the end of June 2027. He said the airline will also be sold through Air France’s worldwide network from launch.
A Year of Friction Over Paris Flights
Air Côte d’Ivoire began its own Paris flights on 15 October 2025, six a week with a new Airbus A330-900. Ivory Coast then held up the winter schedules of Air France and Corsair, a French airline, saying the national carrier faced unfair competition.
The government approved both French schedules in late November 2025, reportedly after French President Emmanuel Macron stepped in, the aviation news site ch-aviation reported. On 30 September 2026, opposition politician Ahoua Don-Mello said the refusal of a codeshare keeps the Ivorian airline from attracting connecting passengers, APA News reported.
What Changes for Passengers
Travellers will be able to choose between more departure times from Paris and Abidjan, because the two airlines’ schedules are sold together. With the Air France Abidjan codeshare, one trip may be offered under either airline’s code.
The loyalty programmes are the second step, planned for the end of 2026. Members of sMiles, the Ivorian airline’s programme, will earn miles on Air France, and Flying Blue members on Air Côte d’Ivoire.
What It Means for US Readers
Travellers from the US typically connect through a European hub such as Paris to reach Abidjan. More Paris departure times matter to business travellers, aid workers and investors heading to Ivory Coast.
Air Côte d’Ivoire ordered two Airbus A330neo jets in 2022 to launch long-haul routes, but no route to the United States has been announced. Our guides to Ivory Coast and Abidjan in October help first-time visitors.
What Is Not Known
The airlines have not said how many seats each will sell on the other’s flights or what fares will be. They have not named the other Air France destinations that come first in 2027.
The miles programme is dated only to the end of 2026. It is also unclear whether the Air France Abidjan codeshare settles the dispute over weekly flights.
More: Africa news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Air France Abidjan codeshare?
It is an agreement under which each airline sells seats on the other’s flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Abidjan. It starts on Sunday 25 October 2026.
When does the Air France Abidjan codeshare start?
The airlines say it takes effect from Sunday 25 October. They announced it on Monday 19 October.
Will I earn miles on both airlines?
The airlines plan to link Flying Blue and sMiles at the end of 2026. Members of each programme will then earn miles on the other airline’s Paris to Abidjan flights.
Is Air France an owner of Air Côte d’Ivoire?
Air France has been a shareholder and strategic partner of Air Côte d’Ivoire since its creation in 2012, according to the airlines. The size of the stake was not given in the announcement.
Can I fly from the United States to Abidjan on Air Côte d’Ivoire?
No US route has been announced. Most US travellers connect through Paris.
Sources: Air Côte d’Ivoire, press release, 19 October 2026; Linfodrome, 19 October 2026; ch-aviation, 25 November 2025; APA News, 30 September 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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