Ivato National Airport is strengthening its reception capacity. Major expansion work has been completed in the departure area. "The area of this zone has doubled, increasing from 380m² with 151 seats to 760m² with now 236 seating places," explained Mamitiana Rabarijaona, head of operations for the national and international terminals, on Saturday, during a visit to the airport renovation works. Becoming too cramped due to strong growth in air traffic, the boarding lounge had to be completely reconfigured to expand the space, according to further explanations. The old departure and arrival halls were thus merged to create a single terminal dedicated to departures. The other part of the building is now exclusively reserved for arrivals. Now, 216 passengers per hour can wait in the boarding lounge, whereas the space could only accommodate 120 passengers per hour previously. The number of boarding gates within this area has also doubled, from two to four. Comfort. The baggage conveyor belt can now handle approximately 900 bags simultaneously. The tarmac has also benefited from expansion work. Thanks to this extension, it recorded more than 7,700 aircraft movements in the first half of 2026 alone. "All the investments we have made since we arrived, meaning we are in our 10th year, amount to several hundred million euros, including the renovation of the Nosy Be runway and of course the terminal which has been renovated. So all of this is to provide comfort and a different image to visitors, a beautiful image of Madagascar," declared Daniel Lefebvre, general director of Ravinala Airports. This airport operator announced, on this occasion, a series of new development projects.