Last August 17, Air Austral and Corsair jointly announced the initiation of discussions “in order to conclude a commercial cooperation agreement” on routes between the metropolis and the Indian Ocean, without specifying the content of this reconciliation.
The two companies only mentioned “the pooling of resources and the implementation of synergies”, while preserving the “identity and independence” of each of them.
Three months later, no additional details had been provided on the trade agreement currently being prepared, while concern grew in the ranks of Air Austral and within the Reunion political class. November 14th, several parliamentarians surrounded Huguette Bello, speaking in the gardens of the Prefecture in front of 150 company employees. The president of the Regional Council, main shareholder of Air Austral, reaffirmed the need to preserve the independence of the company and its governance in Reunion, while asking the State to strengthen its support.
But the latter seems rather to encourage a capital merger between Air Austral and Corsair, who have both suffered heavy losses since the start of the health crisis. To calm Reunion’s concerns, the government brought in Olivier Dussopt, Minister Delegate for Public Accounts, to answer a question from MP David Lorion at the National Assembly. “The merger between Corsair and Air Austral is an option which would have the merit of preserving a Reunionese identity and local establishment, on which everyone should work”, declared the minister. According to him, the State is ready to support the restructuring of the debt of Air Austral – which notably contracted 80 million euros in loans guaranteed by the State – on the condition that the shareholders contribute and that the European Commission accepts it. At the time these lines are written, November 20th, the greatest vagueness reigned on this strategic file for the opening up of Reunion Island, competition on the mainland-Réunion line and the 860 direct jobs at Air Austral.
Fourth Airbus A330neo for Corsair
Corsair took delivery of its 4th Airbus A 330neo on November 18, which was put into operation on the Paris-Réunion line from November 23. The performance of this device makes it possible to improve the total carrying capacity (up to 10 additional tonnes of passengers and freight) compared to the A330-300s currently operated by the company. “It will mainly serve the Indian Ocean, and will thus make it possible to respond to the diversification of services in this area by the company, Corsair announcement, with the opening of lines from Lyon and Marseille to the Indian Ocean from June 21, 2021, as well as the resumption of flights to Mauritius since October 22, 2021”. The environmental performance of the Airbus A330neo is a clear improvement compared to that of previous generation aircraft : 60% reduction in noise footprint, 25% fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per seat. The 5th A 330neo ordered by Corsair is expected in April 2022. The company will then have 50% of latest generation aircraft..
Roland-Garros airport at COP26
Guillaume Branlat, chairman of the board of directors of Roland-Garros airport, spoke on video on November 10 as part of the Glasgow Conference on Climate Change (COP 26). Réunion airport was in fact one of the four platforms selected by the Airport Council International (Airports Council International), alongside the Galapagos airports, from New Delhi and Vancouver, to demonstrate their commitment to the ecological transition. In his one-minute recorded intervention, Guillaume Branlat recalled the environmental ambition of Roland-Garros airport, which has already materialized in several achievements. He notably presented the new western terminal, whose construction began in October. It will be the first bioclimatic terminal in the world built in a tropical region exposed to cyclones.. The winners of the architectural project, le cabinet AIA Life Designers, respected specifications requiring in particular to favor natural ventilation and not to use air conditioning in most spaces of the building. In April 2021, Roland-Garros airport was the first overseas airport and the seventh French airport to obtain level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation, which recognizes the commitment of the Airport Company and several platform partners in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
