After several months of uncertainty, Air Austral took possession of the three A220-300s ordered from Airbus at the end of July. With these 132-seat aircraft, the company is completely renewing its short and medium-haul fleet, previously made up of two Boeing 737-800s and one ATR 72-500. The first commercial flight operated by Airbus is scheduled for August 18, on Mayotte.
Air Austral highlights the multiple advantages of these new generation aircraft, designed by the Canadian Bombarbier before its partial takeover by the European manufacturer : “widest cabin, the tallest and quietest in its category, 25% fuel consumption, lower operating costs and CO2 emissions per seat, compared to previous generation aircraft, 25% less maintenance cost, 50% reduction in noise footprint ».
“Air Austral is ready for recovery”, assured Marie-Joseph Malé, CEO of the company, during the arrival of the first two Airbus, August 12 at Roland-Garros airport. A recovery whose timetable is however uncertain, since the only regional line currently open is the one linking Saint-Denis to Dzaoudzi.
New president of the Regional Council, main shareholder of Air Austral, Huguette Bello also tempered the ambient optimism, August 12. She recalled the difficult situation of the company, as she did last July 30 in plenary assembly, and called on the State for reinforcement. “While our community has accomplished all the efforts requested, going beyond its capabilities, we have the right to demand that the State respects its commitments and mobilizes to save Air Austral, as he was able to do to save Air France and Corsair”, she declared on this occasion.
Air Austral receives its Airbus A220-300s
