After four years of interruption due to political tensions between Madagascar and Comoros, direct air service between the two countries resumed last Thursday. An inaugural flight ceremony was held at Amborovy airport.
Direct air links had been suspended in July 2022 following a decision by Malagasy authorities based on health considerations. To mark this milestone, an inaugural flight was operated by Madagascar Airlines between Antananarivo and Moroni on Thursday, July 30. The airline conducted a loop route Antananarivo-Mahajanga-Moroni, with a stopover in Mahajanga.
The Minister of Transport and Meteorology was aboard the ATR 72, accompanied by several dignitaries. An official ceremony marking the resumption of the service was then held at Amborovy international airport.
"Both governments recognize that this inaugural flight is a success. The resumption of this link is very important. It is a great advantage for tourism professionals and especially for the Malagasy diaspora in Comoros, estimated at over 20,000 people, as well as for Comorian residents in Madagascar. It is a way for families to reunite, for students to continue their studies or for travelers to discover a new destination. This revival of the air link will also help reduce expenses. Currently, the ticket fares applied by Madagascar Airlines to Comoros are twice as high," the minister declared.
The airline will now operate this route twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays. This resumption should help restore ties between the two islands. Two days after Madagascar Airlines resumed flights, Royal Air Comores also operated its first flight to Mahajanga last Saturday.
Catalyst
The aircraft departed from Prince-Saïd-Ibrahim airport at 11:20 a.m. and landed at Amborovy airport after ninety minutes of flight.
"The opening of this line between Mahajanga and Moroni illustrates the role of airport infrastructure as catalysts for economic development. For Adema, each new airline represents an opportunity to create value for our territories. Today, we did much more than restart an airline route. We reopened a gateway between Madagascar and the Union of Comoros. This inaugural Antananarivo-Mahajanga-Moroni flight symbolizes reunions, recovered opportunities and a shared desire to bring two brother peoples closer together, united by history, culture and the Indian Ocean. Behind each occupied seat today, there is a story. This link will help strengthen human, economic, tourism and cultural exchanges between our two countries. We also celebrate the rapprochement of two nations and the promise of an even more connected future in the heart of the Indian Ocean," declared the general director of Adema (Airports of Madagascar).
This new route offers three weekly rotations, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, at the rate of 200,000 KMF (2,017,900 ariary) for a round-trip ticket.
"We maintain close historical and cultural ties with Comoros and Mayotte. Comorians have family in Mahajanga, Malagasy have family in Comoros. Exchanges will therefore be even more numerous. These travelers will take taxis, visit restaurants and consume tourism products. Comorians are also very interested in Malagasy products such as textiles. This is the third link we benefit from. Until now, we had flights from Antananarivo and Mayotte. Today, we are asking for more. The general director of Madagascar Airlines announced to us that the company is studying the opening of a direct line between Marseille and Mahajanga, which interests us. We are also requesting the reopening of the La Réunion-Mahajanga line, which existed previously. In tourism, the more accessible we are, the more flights and connections we have, the more the economy works," said Kaed Sidine, director of the Regional Tourism Office of Boeny (ORTB).
"This new line energizes the economy and boosts tourism in the Boeny region. It facilitates commercial exchanges and attracts investors. The connection will be faster, more direct and more regular for passengers and economic operators alike. It also testifies to continuous modernization. The increase in traffic will allow Adema to reinvest in safety, security and quality of services at Mahajanga airport," added the general director of Adema.