Madagascar plans regional airport upgrades to connect provinces directly
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Adema, a management company in Madagascar, is upgrading regional airports to improve travel between provinces and meet international safety standards.
The company manages 56 aerodromes across the country, including 10 large platforms and 46 smaller infrastructures. Director General Jean Germain Andrianiaina stated that these improvements aim to allow travelers to move between regions without needing to pass through the capital, Antananarivo. The company has already completed some upgrades, enabling regular flights in Farafangana and improvements in Manakara.
Other locations, including Maroantsetra and Antalaha, have established regular connections or recent inaugurations. To further improve connectivity, Adema plans to develop cross-regional flights and is considering purchasing small aircraft to facilitate these routes. They are also studying the creation of a base in the south of Madagascar to better serve that part of the country. Several airports still require work to reach international certification.
While five airports have already received certification and Diego-Suarez is currently undergoing the process, the facilities in Toliara, Fort-Dauphin, Toamasina, Sainte-Marie, and Mahajanga need further upgrades. These improvements include securing perimeters with fences, installing fire-fighting equipment, and improving communication and rescue systems. The government and the World Bank plan to provide 45 million dollars to fund works at the Fort-Dauphin, Toliara, and Toamasina airports.
A major project includes extending the runway at Toliara to allow for international flights within one to two years. However, the company noted that international traffic also depends on meeting all technical and safety requirements beyond just runway length.
