Madagascar Airlines officially returned to the Air Madagascar name on 31 October at an event in Antananarivo, reviving the national carrier’s historic identity. The change is initially a rebranding: flights continue under the operating certificate held by Madagascar Airlines. The transfer of that certificate and the merger process are expected to be completed by the end of December 2026, leaving the legal and operational transition unfinished for now.
Madagascar Airlines adopted its name in 2021 during the restructuring that combined Air Madagascar with domestic subsidiary Tsaradia. The latest change accompanies a broader turnaround centred on restructuring and domestic services. Chief executive Rado Rabarilala reported that the carrier’s finances shifted from a USD 700,000 deficit to a USD 3 million surplus after he took office in May 2026. The figures were reported by Franceinfo Outre-mer, which also noted that improved results are expected to support a return to long-haul services.
The carrier has reopened sales offices in Mahajanga and Antananarivo’s Analakely district. The government-backed plan also includes a proposed acquisition of a Boeing 737-200, though no details on the aircraft or its intended deployment have been provided. The name restoration therefore precedes both the completion of the corporate merger and the transfer of operating approvals.