Towards an increase in domestic and international flights

Madagascar Airlines welcomed its second ATR 72 aircraft at Ivato Airport on April 2, 2025.

This new aircraft marks an important step in the recovery process of the national airline, which currently uses five aircraft for its domestic flights.

Since January 2024, the company had encountered financial difficulties, leading to the grounding of many aircraft. “The aircraft were grounded due to a lack of funding for their maintenance and repairs,” explains Thierry de Bailleul, the company’s Managing Director. However, a recovery plan, dubbed “Phénix 2030,” has been implemented, allowing Madagascar Airlines to resume operations.

Currently, the company operates four aircraft, including one recently acquired. The Director General plans to increase the number of aircraft in service to seven by 2026. Transport Minister Ramonjavelo Valery, for his part, emphasized the need for 11 to 12 aircraft to strengthen domestic flights. Furthermore, the government aims to attract one million tourists by 2028.

The recovery of the national airline is also accompanied by an increase in international flights, particularly with Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines, which will strengthen their connections to the Big Island in the coming months.