Like all the airlines in the world, Air Austral had to reduce its regular operations for three months due to the Covid-19 epidemic. During this period, however, the carrier maintained a air bridge two weekly flights with Paristhe organisation of repatriation flights orhealth emergencyAir Austral has since resumed its scheduled flights, but only between Reunion, Mayotte and mainland France. Air Austral has since resumed its scheduled flights, but only between Réunion, Mayotte and mainland France. Like all French airlines, it has just received financial support from 88 million euros to deal with an unprecedented crisis. Jean-Marc Grazzini, CEO of Air Austral, takes stock of the new operating context for the Reunionese carrier.
How has Air Austral coped with the pandemic?
Jean-Marc Grazzini - During this crisis, we confirmed our position as a Réunion-based airline. Firstly, by never stopping our services, in particular by continuing to operate an air bridge between Saint-Denis de la Réunion and Paris. We have been involved in organising air points to repatriate passengers, for example with the embassies of South Africa, Madagascar and Mauritius. We have also chartered aircraft to fly to Morocco. Another activity that is vital to Réunion's economy is the transport of goods to and from Réunion, with numerous freight flights to Paris, China and Mayotte. And for a few days now, we have been back on the regular traffic between France and Réunion.
How is Air Austral faring in July?
Jean-Marc Grazzini - We are gradually returning to normal operations. We are once again offering a daily flight on Paris and La Réunion and we have just resumed service to Paris-Mayotte with four to five flights a week. The CDG-La Réunion flight is operated by Boeing 777 and the flight to Mayotte by Boeing 787 with a technical stopover in Nairobi. Flights to Mayotte are operated under the strict control of the health authorities, as only travel for "compelling" reasons is authorised, together with quarantine measures. On Reunion Island, traffic should be boosted by the lifting of mandatory quarantine from 10 July. We are already seeing strong demand with last-minute bookings. In Paris, we are still in Terminal 2E, but we should be back in Terminal 2C by mid-July, with the use of our lounges in Paris.
How is the resumption of business traffic going?
Jean-Marc Grazzini - This recovery is slow because of the economic environment which has been weighed down by the pandemic. Its development will therefore be heavily dependent on the economic situation, with the exception, of course, of the following sectors civil servants between mainland France and the island. As a result, we are dependent on affinity traffic this July, and hope that tourist travel will also pick up soon. Especially as air fares remain affordable thanks to the resumption of traffic by the four airlines flying between mainland France and Réunion.
How do you see the coming months?
Jean-Marc Grazzini - I have to admit that in all my career, I have never seen such a volatility in our business. The air transport business is planned months in advance because of fleet constraints and time slots. L'uncertainty has become the standard for air transport, a standard with which we must learn to live. As things stand, we anticipate a back to normal at the end of the year on all lines, but we have to remember that we remain dependent on the decisions of the governments of each country on the reopening their borders. For example, we know that Maurice plans to reopen its airspace and borders at the end of August. We are now awaiting decisions from the authorities in Madagascar, South Africa, India, Thailand and China. We should therefore probably resume our entire network in October-Novemberbut subject to open borders...
Will you continue to work with Air Madagascar?
Jean-Marc Grazzini - We had indeed become a shareholder in the national airline Air Madagascar, but the island's new government has decided to take back control of its airline. We will therefore be withdrawing from the capital, but this will not affect our cooperation agreements.
What measures have you taken to improve on-board service?
Jean-Marc Grazzini - We follow the recommendations of national health authorities and international air transport organisations. Taking temperature before departure and arrival, the wearing of a mask have become the norm. Air filtered every three minutes on board ensures that air travel remains safe overall to limit the potential impact of the virus. In fact, this filtering system is the same as in research laboratories. Staff wear masks and follow protocols that limit interactions as much as possible. For example, we no longer offer press on board aircraft. The only major difference is the removal of special menu options for pre-orders. In fact, this has more to do with a reduction in staff numbers at our catering suppliers, who have also been hard hit by the crisis.
