Airbus A340-300: no criticisms allowed!

“The transitional regime’s objective has been reached:  the Airbus A 340/300 is now on Malagasy soil”. The purchase of the device is primarily a politically motivated decision from the transitional leader. And Andry Rajoelina made obviously no secret of his personal pride when providing the national airline company with an aircraft. He decided to “take the necessary measures in order to  bring the Company back to the path of recovery as early as possible after a period of struggle with bankruptcy namely in 2011”.

His solution was made of a couple of Airbus A340 type aircraft acquired by lease sale. The choice was largely defended with technical arguments, first and foremost by Airbus’ commercial department. “Such aircraft will allow Air Madagascar to develop its networks. Its performance happens to be perfectly matching Antananarivo city’s airport and altitude; and its range is large enough to reach  Australia”.

The CEO of Air Madagascar was actually more interested in more concrete arguments such as lower travel cost: a higher capacity of plus 70 passengers compared to that of the Boeing 767, a greater efficiency, minus 20% in operating cost. “These are just tools to achieve projects; plus 25% in capacity compared to the 767, plus 50% of freight,” said Hugues Ratsiferana.

Controversy concerning the purchase

The presentation of the Airbus A340-300 turned into a tribute to Airbus and Air France. This unit would the one in fashion, 400 out of 500 sold out units are in action, 1400 of them ordered from the European airliner … “I would like to say that 64% of the market belongs to Airbus, 36% Boeing by 36%; over 80 airline companies worldwide are using parts manufactured by Airbus” said the HAT’s finance minister and senior official at Air Madagascar.

Hery  Randrianarimampianina and Rajoelina appeared as marveled as young kids at Christmas by the aircraft’s business class seats. Too bad, during the opening flight, which was definitely not the first ever, neither of both celebrities enjoyed the privilege of testing the lower classes’ comfort.

“We had to bear people spitting criticism and making a fuss of us during the process, but our will to push for the Company’s recovery proved to be fruitful “commented a Finance Minister who did not appreciate the lack of solidarity from one part of company’s personnel.

Air Madagascar’s crews are indeed specialists in Boeing aircrafts. “There was too much discussion concerning the choice between Boeing and Airbus; this controversy does not make sense, since many companies use both airliners’ aircrafts” said Hery Randrianarimampianina.

Criticism after the purchase

Criticism actually were legions: “It’s a matter of a very private interest … which will eventually destroy the company”…” is a blow for Malagasy crews, since French crews will be paid by AirMad “…” It’s a French choice “… Getting Madagascar out of from the international transcontinental transportation’s red by lurking behind Air France is in not a widely accepted plan. During a 3 months long transitional period, the aircraft flying under Malagasy colors will be managed by a French crew.

The next row of criticisms affected the aircrafts ages: they are respectively 12 and 14 years old. At the end of the sale-lease contract, the oldest of them both will be 20 years old. Air Madagascar’s senior officials are playing this factor down by emphasizing that some large companies do use 25 years old aircraft. This particular factor brings however a shadow over the pretended bargain.

The figures published by the company do not make tones better. According to the sale-lease contract,  US$ 900 000 per month will have to be paid over the next 6 years. The whole would all amount to US$ 32.5 million overall. The DG Ratsiferana argued that this kind of device costs actually US$ 28 million. This is obviously a bargain for a second or third hand aircraft considering that a new Airbus 340 costs up to US$ 250 million.

Rajoelina is expecting the aircraft called “Elatra” to improve the image of the company as well as that of Madagascar. “Criticisms against Air Madagascar and against its new Airbus A 340/300, I consider as malice and jealousy” declared the leader of the HAT.