Ivory Coast/Cote D'Ivoire

[Jetset320]

Any info on flying in this area?

What about security concerns (based Abidjan)?

Is there a particular hotel in Abidjan where crew normally stay?

[Solenta]

sent you a pm

[wannabe-aviator]

Abidjan is very calm and relatively safe comparative to other countries in the area, as for Hotels you cannot go wrong with HOTEL IVOIRE am not sure about thier rates nowadays are but worth checking out.

WA:ok:

[BelArgUSA]

Got frequently in Abidjan in the 1980s... on ACMI with UTA/Air Afrique.
Abidjan was a paradise. Excellent food. Was like Paris, but near the Equator.
Definitely my favorite city in Africa. I speak French - That helps too.
People were great. I do not know why things got to hell in recent years.
I heard things are getting better again. We stayed at the Méridien.
Safety in better hotel areas and airport should not be any problem.
xxx
:)
Happy contrails

[Goffel]

We used to stay in the Beach hotel.

Excellent food and great accomadation....o n the beach.

Also near to the airport if you need to get there in a hurry.

Goffel...checking out the mine dumps...:cool:

[Jetset320]

What advice are airline's giving their crew regarding the security situation?

The Home Office and State Department presently advise against anything but essential travel to IC, and even advise against even leaving the hotel, especially after dark. Even catching a cab is not recommended.

Any first hand (recent) experiences? I understand the situation is volotile, but is Abidjan presently so bad?

[snothogg]

Abidjan is like any other large city in the world where common sence can keep you out of trouble.
The Ivory Coast has been my second home the last 6 years and I feel safer there than most other African countries I've lived and work in.

Any of the major hotel groups Sofitel, Novotel, Hotel Ivoire, Ibis etc is still up to standard.
More expensive than most african countries but there are still some excellent restaurants and clubs.

Try to stay in and around Zone 4. Most of the nicer places (expats) are there and you will have less police check points to cross
It is a plus if you speak basic french

Hope this will help you