► RÉUNION: Air Austral's Ewa Airlines due to launch from October 29 as A380 talks go on (and on).

Réunion-based airline, Air Austral (UU), has set October 29 as the launch date for its new regional startup, Ewa Airlines, which will serve the Indian Ocean region as well as Mozambique and Tanzania with an ATR72-500.

► MAYOTTE: Air Caraïbes codesharing with Corsair on its Madagascar, Réunion, Dzaoudzi routes.

Air Caraïbes (TX), the regional airline of the French Caribbean, has since 10JAN13 expanded its codeshare operation with Corsair International (SS), which covers the latter’s France – Indian Ocean routes to Madagascar, La Réunion and Dzaoudzi (Mayotte).

► MADAGASCAR: Corsair suspends Paris - Antananarivo flights until June citing poor loads.

French carrier Corsair International (SS) is to temporarily suspend its Paris Orly - Antananarivo, Madagascar flights effective 17 January to mid June this year citing poor yields.

► RÉUNION: See Pics of Corsair International's sexy new A330 at Roland Garros!

Réunion, the French Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean, was the first recipient of Corsair International's (SS) recently delivered Airbus A330-300; the first of two with the second due in late January 2013. The new aircraft are part of a renewal programme that follows a EUR300million recapitalization of the carrier by parent company, TUI, the largest tourism group in the world.

► COTE D'IVOIRE: Corsair International to start 4x weekly Abidjan flights from 2013.

French carrier Corsair International is to expand its presence in West Africa with the addition of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. Effective 1 March 2013, Corsair will serve the Ivorian capital 4x weekly from Paris Orly with an A330-300.

► SENEGAL: Senegal Airlines starts Libreville and direct Cotonou flights; inks code-share with Corsair for daily Paris ops from February 2013.

Senegalese national carrier, Senegal Airlines (DN), has signed a code-share deal with French carrier Corsair International (SS) which will result the introduction of daily flights Dakar-Paris-Dakar flights from February 2013 on.

■ MADAGASCAR: Government courts Corsair International to resume Paris to Nosy-Be flights.

With Air Madagascar's (MD) Airbus A340-300s too big for Nosy-Be's (Fascene) Airport, the Malagasy Government is attempting to lure French carrier Corsair International (SS) back to Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort, as they are the only carrier with the equipment (Airbus A330s) capable of operating a direct Paris - Nosy Be flight from the airport, at this time. 

► SENEGAL: Corsair International launches 4x weekly Paris - Dakar from October.

After signing an agreement with the Senegalese Government, France's second largest carrier, Corsair International (SS), will from 26 October 2012 offer a 4x weekly, Boeing 747-400 operated Paris (Orly) - Dakar, Senegal service, with a fifth frequency (a Saturday flight south, and a Sunday flight north) to follow in January 2013.