AIRBUS A380 TO JOIN AIR AUSTRAL FLEET – FOR A WHILE
(Posted 03rd August 2018)
Come 24th of August will one of Air Austral’s Boeing B787’s undergo additional checks related to the aircraft’s Rolls Royce engines and be unavailable for about three months.
The airline has confirmed that it will wet lease an Airbus A380 from Hi-Fly, based in Portugal, which only recently acquired the aircraft from Singapore Airlines.
Air Austral will have their own crew join the Hi-Fly crew in the cabin for flights carried out for the three months period between Reunion’s Roland Garros International Airport and Paris CDG.
The airline has also given notice that flights between Reunion and fellow French territory Mayotte may be initially affected due to the airport on that island not being able to handle an A380.
Passengers on the regular Paris – Mayotte – Reunion flight will therefore have to change planes in Reunion and then take an onward flight.
The Airbus aircraft is configured in a three class cabin layout with 12 First Class seats, 60 business class seats and 399 economy class seats, no doubt supporting the extra demand for travel between the French mainland and Reunion over the main holiday period in France.
Air Austral’s second B787 has already undergone the mandatory engine checks which became necessary due to a series of technical problems with the Rolls Royce engines – a situation which dragged Rolls Royce into deep red figures this year due to having to carry out these inspections at their own expense.
Air Austral had initially orders Airbus A380 aircraft but later changed their mind and opted for the smaller Boeing B787.
For added information on Destination Reunion click on www.reunion.fr
