Dubai-based Emirates airline is set to boost its flight services to Madagascar, increasing its schedule from four to six weekly flights starting April 2, 2025. This adjustment follows the successful launch of flights to the island nation in September 2024 and is made to accommodate the growing demand for travel between Dubai and Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital.
Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and Indian Ocean, announced the news at a joint press conference with Madagascar’s Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Tourism held in Antananarivo. "We are pleased to boost our services to Madagascar by offering two additional flights per week. Our growing flight schedule to the island means more connectivity, more choices, and convenient options for travellers," said Ahmad.
This expansion is expected to generate positive impacts within Madagascar’s tourism sector. The increase will allow the airline to operate flights every day of the week except Mondays, responding effectively to the strong demand for both inbound and outbound passenger services since the flights began operations.
Emirates has witnessed significant interest and bookings from markets, including the UAE, France, the UK, mainland China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Spain, and Italy. With the current four weekly flights operating at near full capacity, adding more flights aims to support Madagascar's goal of raising visitor numbers and enhancing convenience for travellers planning trips.
The capacity boost also implies greater economic collaboration between Madagascar and the UAE. Ahmad emphasized the importance of the additional flights, saying, "Enhancing services will strengthen economic ties between Madagascar and the UAE, by supporting increased inbound and outbound leisure and business travel to the island, and bolstering trade lanes with additional cargo capacity. This expansion supports our efforts to promote the destination across our network, as tourism to Madagascar flourishes. Local businesses thrive, generating benefits for communities."
The concrete steps taken by Emirates to promote Madagascar as a viable tourism destination have already started yielding results. The airline has been promoting the island's unique charm and its rich biodiversity, alongside its three UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Madagascar’s Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Viviane Dewa, noted the importance of Emirates’ services to the country’s tourism ambitions. "The arrival of Emirates with direct flights to Madagascar has been a breath of fresh air for our tourism sector. This flight has connected our island to over 140 destinations worldwide, thereby opening up new opportunities for promoting Madagascar as a preferred travel destination," Dewa stated.
Emirates has supported Madagascar’s tourism initiatives by organizing familiarization trips for 32 of its leading travel agencies from major markets, facilitating firsthand experiences of the island's attractions.
The expanded flight operations are seen as pivotal to achieving Madagascar’s lofty target of reaching one million tourist arrivals by 2028. Emirates plays an integral role as the only airline providing scheduled passenger flights between the Middle East and Madagascar.
Business and tourism are expected to flourish from the enhanced connectivity. The boost to the route will provide not only more passenger seats but also additional cargo capacity for imports and exports. The Boeing 777 aircraft utilized by Emirates can uplift up to 20 tonnes of cargo per flight, presenting increased opportunities for trade.
The flight schedule between Dubai and Antananarivo, with brief stops at Mahé, enhances the prospects for seasonal travel, meeting high demands during peak tourism periods. Travelers from Madagascar have typically ventured forth to Dubai and beyond, frequently choosing destinations like Seychelles and various cities across Europe and Asia.
Dr. Manambahoaka Valéry F. Ramonjavelo, Madagascar’s Minister of Transport and Meteorology, also highlighted how this expansion signals confidence and trust building between the UAE and Madagascar. He noted, "Since February 2024, we have accelerated the strengthening of trust between the UAE and Madagascar, and the air connectivity provided by Emirates contributes to these bilateral ties being cultivated between our two nations."
Both governments and Emirates are optimistic about the prospect of increased travel between the nations, allowing Madagascar to capitalize on its respective tourism strengths. The initiative not only aims to cater to tourism-driven travel preferences but also focuses on fostering sustainable economic growth within Madagascar.
Overall, Emirates' expansion reflects its commitment to accommodate the soaring demand for travel to the beautiful island nation, as millions of globetrotters seek to discover Madagascar's mesmerizing landscapes and cultural heritage.