Madagascar removes mandatory lockdown and increases international flights
The total reopening of the Malagasy borders took place on 5 March. However, the conditions for entering the island (PCR test on arrival and two days' confinement in a hotel at the traveller's expense, reopening of only three airports to international flights) remained discouraging until now.
The Malagasy government has decided to increase the frequency of international flights between Antananarivo and Paris in order to help lower airfares. The decision was taken during the Council of Ministers on Wednesday 30 March 2022.
The Antananarivo-Paris route is currently operated by Air France and Madagascar Airlines. With this new measure, Turkish Airlines is expected to return to the Big Island. The Turkish flag carrier will now be able to offer flights to the French capital via its Istanbul hub.
During the same meeting, the Malagasy authorities also approved the reopening of air links between Madagascar and Mauritius as well as flights to and from Reunion and Mayotte.
This reopening of Madagascar's skies goes hand in hand with the easing of travel restrictions. Even though antigenic RDT tests remain mandatory for all passengers arriving in Madagascar, there will no longer be any question of mandatory confinement for negative results. This provision, now limited to 7 days, only concerns passengers who test positive.
It goes without saying that these measures should motivate the return of carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines or the South African company Air Link. And this is to the great delight of Malagasy tourism operators (hoteliers, restaurants, guides, drivers, etc.) who have been struggling since the beginning of the health crisis.
