Indian Ocean Connection Boost: New Codeshare Opens Doors
Madagascar Airlines and Air Austral have forged a dynamic partnership, signing a codeshare agreement and a Special Prorate Agreement (SPA). This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing air travel options across the Indian Ocean region, offering exciting new opportunities for African travel agents.
This strategic alliance aims to strengthen connectivity between Madagascar, Réunion Island, and other regional and international destinations. By expanding route options and offering more competitive fares, the partnership promises to boost tourism and business travel within the Indian Ocean.
Madagascar Airlines customers can now book flights under the MD code on Air Austral operated routes between Réunion and several key destinations in Madagascar, including Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Nosy Be, and Toamasina. This codeshare arrangement simplifies travel planning and provides seamless connections for travelers.
Furthermore, the partnership opens up convenient access to Air Austral’s long-haul network, including flights to Bangkok and Johannesburg, via Réunion. This expanded reach offers African travel agents more flexibility in crafting diverse and attractive travel itineraries for their clients.
Air Austral gains access to Madagascar Airlines’ comprehensive domestic network through the SPA. This agreement provides Air Austral customers with a wider range of destinations within Madagascar, facilitating travel to key cities and regions across the island nation.
A highlight of this partnership is the launch of a new inter-island route connecting Réunion, Toamasina, and Sainte Marie Island. This exclusive service, operated jointly by Air Austral and Madagascar Airlines, opens up exciting new travel possibilities and is expected to boost tourism and economic activity between the islands.
The new Réunion-Toamasina-Sainte Marie route offers a unique opportunity for travelers to explore the diverse landscapes and cultural attractions of these Indian Ocean islands. Travel agents can leverage this new service to create specialized tour packages and cater to the growing demand for multi-destination travel within the region.
The codeshare flights are scheduled to become available for booking in June 2025 through both airlines' reservation systems. Travel professionals are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these new options and incorporate them into their travel offerings.
This partnership aligns with Madagascar Airlines’ ambitious “Phénix 2030” revitalization plan, which aims to transform the airline into a reliable and well-connected carrier. The collaboration with Air Austral is a key step in achieving this goal, enhancing the airline’s network and improving its service offerings.
The collaboration between Madagascar Airlines and Air Austral goes beyond a simple business arrangement; it represents a strengthening of ties between two neighboring islands with a shared history. This partnership is expected to foster greater cultural exchange and economic cooperation within the Indian Ocean region.
Air Austral views this partnership as a key element of its development strategy, emphasizing its commitment to providing customers with a wider range of travel options through high-quality interline agreements. The airline is particularly excited about the potential to showcase the unique attractions of Sainte Marie Island and other hidden gems in southern Madagascar to travelers from Réunion.
This partnership between Madagascar Airlines and Air Austral presents a wealth of opportunities for African travel agents. By leveraging the expanded network, enhanced connectivity, and new inter-island routes, travel professionals can create unique and compelling travel packages that cater to the growing demand for Indian Ocean destinations. This collaboration promises to boost tourism, facilitate business travel, and strengthen regional integration within this dynamic and increasingly popular part of the world.
The partnership’s potential impact is significant, with a projected 4,900 roundtrip seats available weekly across the new codeshare routes. This added capacity provides travel agents with ample inventory to meet the anticipated surge in demand. The route between Toamasina and Sainte Marie, for instance, offers a weekly capacity of 980 roundtrip seats, opening up access to this previously underserved destination.
This collaboration between Air Austral and Madagascar Airlines is a win-win for both airlines and the travel industry. It strengthens regional connectivity, enhances passenger choices, and creates new opportunities for tourism and economic growth. Travel professionals across Africa are encouraged to capitalize on this partnership to expand their offerings and cater to the evolving needs of travelers seeking unique and enriching experiences in the Indian Ocean.
