 | This article'sfactual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(September 2024) |
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| Launch date | 21 September 2015; 10 years ago (2015-09-21) |
|---|---|
| Full members | 4 |
| Destination airports | 89 |
| Destination countries | 26 |
| Annual passengers (M) | 2.3[1] |
| Fleet size | 32 |
| Management | Marie-Joseph Malé, president[2] |
TheVanilla Alliance (French:Alliance Vanille) is anairline alliance formed in September 2015. The alliance is the fourth largest in the world as of 2025, trailingOneworld,Star Alliance, andSkyTeam.[3] All of the airlines within the alliance operate in theIndian Ocean region and are based in sovereign states that are members of theIndian Ocean Commission orFrench overseas territories in the Indian Ocean.
In August 2010,Seychelles,Mauritius,Madagascar, theComoros,Réunion, andMayotte united under the brand "Vanilla Islands" to promote tourism to the entire region.[4][5] In 2012, theMaldives Minister for Tourism was invited to discuss joining as a member of theVanilla Islands tourism body. But after a meeting of ministers in 2016, the organization confirmed that theMaldives was not a member of the group. It is noteworthy that there are no direct flights betweenVelana International Airport in theMaldives, and any of the member islands. The initial goals of the Vanilla Alliance include increased air service between the islands, more attractive fares, and optimization ofcodesharing.[6][7] L'Estrac also suggested the creation of a newlow-cost regional airline to attract more tourists.[8] Ultimately, the alliance wishes to increase tourism, trade, and business ties in the region. The founding members areAir Austral,Air Madagascar,Air Mauritius,Air Seychelles andInt'Air Îles.
In 2012 theIndian Ocean Commission (IOC) hosted a conference on the state of air travel within theIndian Ocean region.[4][8] It was determined that the current business model of the airlines was unsustainable and that ticket prices for regional air travel were too high, compared to intra-Europe and intra-Caribbean fares.[6]
From 2–3 May 2013, the IOC held another conference in Mauritius on the problems with regional air travel. In January 2014, the Commission published a plea entitled "Wings of the Indian Ocean", in which it called for a joint strategy on regional air transport and noted the economic benefits it would have.[8][9] The IOC held another conference in July 2014 on tourism and air travel, after which a committee of airline officials and another of civil aviation authorities were created to form the alliance.[4][8]
On 20 May 2015, the Council of Ministers of the IOC met inAntananarivo to commit to signing an agreement for the creation of the alliance.[10] The airlines were expected to sign it on 18 June, however this date was postponed due to astrike atAir Madagascar.[6]
On 21 September 2015, founding airlinesAir Austral,Air Madagascar,Air Mauritius,Air Seychelles andInt'Air Îles signed the pact in Antananarivo. The signing was attended by Secretary General Jean-Claude de l'Estrac of theIndian Ocean Commission and Malagasy presidentHery Rajaonarimampianina.[1][2][4]
On 14 February 2024, Int'Air Îles ceased operations due to financial difficulties and problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines, therefore leaving the Vanilla Alliance.
| Member airline | Joined | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Air Austral | 21 September 2015 | founder |
 Madagascar Airlines | founder | |
 Air Mauritius | founder | |
 Air Seychelles | founder |
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| Airline | Joined | Exited | Remarks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Int'Air Îles | 21 September 2015 | 14 February 2024 | Defunct | founder |
Media related toVanilla Alliance at Wikimedia Commons