Madagascar Airlines Resumes Paris Flights via Codeshare
Madagascar Airlines has resumed its direct Paris CDG–Antananarivo service through a new codeshare agreement with Air France, marking a significant boost in connectivity for the Malagasy flag carrier. The service, relaunched on February 4, 2025, follows the signing of a special prorate agreement (SPA) between the two airlines in October 2024. Under the new partnership, flights will operate four to five times per week during the IATA winter 2024 season, offering enhanced connectivity between Europe and Madagascar.
According to ADS-B data, Air France operates the Paris route with a Boeing 777-200ER. Flight schedules of both airlines have been meticulously synchronized to provide seamless connections. Passengers arriving in Madagascar can now conveniently transfer to domestic flights serving key destinations such as Nosy-Be, Tulear, Tamatave, Sainte Marie, Tolanaro, and Majunga. Moreover, from Paris, Air France offers ten onward connections to major hubs across Europe, including Marseilles and Lyon St. Exupéry in France, Milan Malpensa in Italy, Frankfurt International and Berlin Brandenburg in Germany, Barcelona El Prat in Spain, as well as Budapest, Prague, Sofia, and Bucharest Henri Coanda.
This strategic move is a key component of Madagascar Airlines’ “Phénix 2030” restructuring plan, which was backed by the World Bank and announced in November 2023. The plan has primarily focused on strengthening domestic operations to stabilize the airline and reduce losses. To this end, Madagascar Airlines suspended its costly ACMI long-haul operations and regional flights, allowing the carrier to refocus on its core routes and service fundamentals.
Currently, Madagascar Airlines’ in-house fleet comprises three ATR72-500s and a single ATR72-600, with another dry-leased ATR72-500 expected to join the fleet around March 2025. The carrier has also terminated all wet leases since January, including a DHC-8-Q400 and a DHC-8-Q300 from CemAir, as well as an ATR72-500 from Jump Air. Under the restructuring plan, the airline aims to operate six ATR72-500s by summer 2025 and is actively scouting for turboprops – either ATR72s or Q400s – on a wet-lease basis for the upcoming season.
“This partnership with Air France marks a strategic milestone for Madagascar Airlines,” said CEO Thierry de Bailleul. “It allows our company to offer a broader and more competitive service, providing our passengers with better connectivity and greater travel flexibility while showcasing our national brand in the European market.” His remarks underscore the airline’s commitment to building a robust international network, complementing its renewed focus on domestic connectivity.
Madagascar Airlines’ move to resume direct flights to Paris positions the carrier to better serve a growing demand for travel between Madagascar and Europe. The new codeshare agreement not only opens up additional travel options for passengers but also reinforces Madagascar Airlines’ strategy to enhance its service offering amid a competitive market.
Other international carriers serving Antananarivo include Air Austral, Air Mauritius, Airlink, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates via Mahé, and Turkish Airlines via Mauritius. With the new partnership in place, Madagascar Airlines is set to further solidify its position as the key gateway for air travel to and from Madagascar, supporting the nation’s tourism and economic growth while delivering improved travel experiences for its customers.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com