A little over thirty-two years after its creation, Air Austral is preparing to make a new start. Last January 5, the European Commission has given the green light to the restructuring plan combining the cancellation of part of the company's debts, an additional help of 17,5 million euros in compensation for damage caused by the first confinement of 2020 and especially the entry into the capital of a group of private investors led by Michel Deleflie (Clinifutur group). Grouped into the Runair company, the latter must contribute 30 million euros in capital and current account in the coming weeks. The region, the Department and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry are also participating in the project by providing, ensemble, 25 million euros. The agreement given by the European Union, guardian of the principles of free competition, comes with some conditions : “The limitation of the number of seats offered by Air Austral ; a limitation on the number of seats offered by Air Austral ; a limitation on the number of airlines operated by the company ; the ban on equity investments in other companies ; the opening of commercial agreements to airlines that request them. » The Union of Autonomous Airlines (SCALE), which brings together 50% of French airlines (based in mainland France and overseas) as well as airport assistance and training companies, welcomed on January 16 the support provided to Air Austral, but asks the European Commission to “continue on this path”, in particular by taking into account “the economic situation of each company to proceed with the total or partial reimbursement of the PGE”.
