Air Madagascar chartered Hi Fly's Airbus A380 on 30 June and 1 July to cover for unexpected maintenance of its A340s.

The African carrier says it chartered the widebody "in exceptional circumstances" to connect Antananarivo's Ivato International airport with Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Hi Fly A380

Hi Fly

The superjumbo completed four flights across the two days, according to Air Madagascar's revised flight programme. It also cancelled some flights during the period.

Hi Fly A380

Groupe ADP

The flights marked the first time an A380 has served Ivato International, says the gateway's operator Ravinala Airports.

Air Madagascar explained on 29 June that it needed to charter the jet because of "mandatory technical interventions on its A340s in accordance with the international directive of EASA".

Hi Fly A380

Groupe ADP

On 28 June, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency released an airworthiness directive covering CFM International CFM56 engines. This called for replacement of "rotating air high-pressure turbine front seals" in the powerplants, after reports of cracking.

Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows that Air Madagascar has two A340-300s in service and one Boeing 737-800. All three are powered by CFM56s.

Hi Fly A380

Groupe ADP

Portuguese charter operator Hi Fly has used its A380 – an ex-Singapore Airlines aircraft with registration 9H-MIP – to provide services for airlines including Air Austral, Norwegian and Thomas Cook since mid-2018.

The jet is adorned with a paint scheme promoting environmental preservation efforts.

Hi Fly A380

Groupe ADP

Source: Cirium Dashboard