Air Madagascar, Air Austral sign strategic partnership MOU

Air Madagascar has signed a memorandum of understanding to create a strategic partnership with Reunion-based Air Austral, under a deal which is expected to be finalised by May 31. Air Austral, which is already partnered with Air Madagascar through the Vanilla Alliance, was selected as Air Madagascar’s preferred partner in March after beating off a rival bid from Ethiopian Airlines. “This is an important step towards a final agreement. We hope that this long-term partnership will return the company to stability and help Air Madagascar regain its position at the centre of national, regional and international aviation development. The business plan proposed by Air Austral will allow us to develop commercial relationships with major international companies,” Air Madagascar chairman Léon Rajaobelina said. <br/>