The airline will increase flights between Dubai and Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, from four services per week to six services per week. Starting on April 2, 2025, the increase reinforces Emirates’ commitment to supporting Madagascar’s tourism ambitions. The uplift in operations was announced at a press conference held in Antananarivo today (15 January.)
Soaring Demand
The route, launched in September 2024, has seen high demand with the current four weekly flights operating at near capacity. It is hoped that the increase in flights will boost tourism in Madagascar, by offering travellers a convenient way to visit and explore the island nation.
Regarding the move, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and the Indian Ocean said:
We are pleased to boost our services to Madagascar by offering two additional flights per week in line with soaring demand for travel since the start of operations. Our growing flight schedule to the island means better connectivity, more choice and convenient options for travellers. Enhancing services will also strengthen the economic ties between Madagascar and the UAE, by supporting more inbound and outbound leisure and business travel to the island and bolstering trade lanes with additional cargo capacity. As tourism to Madagascar flourishes, local businesses thrive, generating a ripple effect that benefits the local communities.
Echoing this sentiment, Madagascar’s Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Viviane Dewa said:
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 the promotion of Madagascar as a destination. Our ambitious target of reaching one million tourists by 2028 will be significantly supported by the continued improvement of air connectivity, particularly through major hubs such as Dubai, and by collaborating with renowned airlines such as Emirates.
The route will run every day except Monday, with transit via Mahé, Seychelles.
Boeing 777 aircraft operate the route, allowing additional cargo capacity for imports and exports.
More about Madagascar
Along the southeast coast of Africa, the Republic of Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It is unique in its biodiversity, with approximately 95% of Madagascar’s reptiles, 89% of its plant life, and 92% of its mammals existing nowhere else on Earth. It also boasts three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Andreafana Dry Forests, the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga and the Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
The country welcomed 126,421 visitors between January and August 2024. In addition, in 2023, almost half a billion euros in revenue was generated from 259,850 travellers. The number of visitors in 2023 represented an increase of almost 100% compared to the year before when 131,118 people travelled to Madagascar.
Have you visited Madagascar? If so, what were your thoughts? If not, would you like to visit? Please share your comments below.
