Madagascar Airlines, previously operating the assets of Air Madagascar and Tsaradia, has now obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and operating license (OL) from the Malagasy civil aviation authority (Aviation Civile de Madagascar – ACM) on April 17, 2023, according to the airline.
With this approval valid for two years, Madagascar Airlines will now operate as a fully-fledged carrier and has already taken over the operations of Air Madagascar and Tsaradia. The airline currently serves the 8 domestic routes in the country and also has a code-share agreement with Air Belgium for flights between Antananarivo and Paris (CDG).
According to the board of directors, Madagascar Airlines will resume long-haul flights to Asia in the coming months and plans to introduce ten new destinations in the coming years. The airline’s new CEO, Thierry de Bailleul, has also stated that they are expecting the arrival of their first E190-E2 before June 26 and are studying solutions to start long-haul operations independently this year with their own aircraft.
While Madagascar Airlines had to wait for one year and a half after the merger to obtain its AOC, the Malagasy state has already provided a USD20 million sovereign guarantee for a B787, plus three E190-E2s on long-term leases from Azorra Aviation for domestic routes from October 2023, according to de Bailleul. The airline is currently working on finding a management model that will provide reasonable fares while also covering costs.
The newly approved Compagnie Nationale Malagasy is gradually replacing Air Madagascar as the national flag carrier of the island nation, and with its AOC in hand, Madagascar Airlines is poised to expand its operations and strengthen its position in the market.
