Flights to Nosy Be & Madagascar 2026-2027: the guide

A direct flight from Italy, a stop in Réunion, or landing in Antananarivo and taking a domestic flight: there are several ways to reach Nosy Be, and the right one mostly depends on where you fly from. From Nosy Be, where we meet travellers at the airport every week, here is what is confirmed for 2026-2027, what is only announced, and our tips for a stress-free arrival.

Two gateways: Antananarivo and Nosy Be

Madagascar has two main international airports for travellers: Antananarivo-Ivato (TNR), the capital, and Nosy Be-Fascène (NOS), the beach island in the north-west. Both are run by Ravinala Airports.

• Antananarivo-Ivato: most long-haul flights land here, and domestic flights leave from here to the rest of the country. Essential if you combine Nosy Be with the Highlands, the Avenue of the Baobabs or the south.
• Nosy Be-Fascène: a small, fast-growing airport. According to Ravinala Airports, it handled nearly 265,000 passengers in 2025, about 11% more than in 2024. Most visitors come from Italy, Réunion, France, Poland and Mayotte.

If you only come for the sea and the islands, flying straight into Nosy Be saves you a full day. Before you go, also check the Madagascar visa and entry requirements.

International flights to Madagascar

These are the main scheduled routes for autumn 2026. Frequencies change with the season: always check with the airline when you book.

To Antananarivo:

• Air France from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, non-stop in about 11 hours, several times a week (up to 7 weekly flights in summer 2025). Madagascar Airlines sells these flights as a codeshare, with connections to the regions on a single ticket.
• Corsair from Paris-Orly via Réunion without changing planes, and between Réunion and Antananarivo.
• Air Austral and Air Mauritius from Réunion and Mauritius.
• Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, Kenya Airways via Nairobi, Turkish Airlines from Istanbul with a stop in Mauritius, Emirates from Dubai via the Seychelles and Airlink from Johannesburg.

Direct to Nosy Be:

• Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa, daily since 6 July 2026: the most practical year-round option from many European cities, with a single connection.
• Air Austral from Réunion.
• Ewa Air from Mayotte (Dzaoudzi).
• Airlink from Johannesburg, seasonally.
• Neos from Italy, seasonally (see below).

Direct flights Italy – Nosy Be with Neos

This is the only direct link between Europe and Nosy Be. Italian airline Neos connects Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino with Nosy Be on seasonal flights. In 2025, the season restarted in March with two weekly flights from Milan and Rome. In 2026, the first flight of the season landed at Fascène on 18 March 2026, with around 350 passengers on board.

Exact dates and the number of flights each season are set by Neos and by the Italian tour operators that sell part of the seats as packages. For 2027, check directly with Neos or your travel agent before fixing your dates: we only publish what is confirmed. Its big advantage: you reach Nosy Be in one hop, without going through Antananarivo.

From France and the rest of Europe

Without a direct flight to Nosy Be, you have three options:

• Paris – Antananarivo non-stop with Air France, then a domestic flight to Nosy Be. Ideal if you also visit the rest of Madagascar.
• Via Réunion: Corsair or Air Austral to Saint-Denis, then Air Austral to Nosy Be or Antananarivo.
• Via a hub: Addis Ababa (Ethiopian, daily to Nosy Be), Mauritius (Air Mauritius), Istanbul (Turkish) or Dubai (Emirates). Useful from the UK, Germany and other European countries.

Domestic flights: Air Madagascar and Aquajet

Madagascar Airlines becomes Air Madagascar again on 31 October 2026. The national airline, created in 2021 by merging Air Madagascar and its domestic subsidiary Tsaradia (so Tsaradia no longer exists as a separate airline), is taking back its old name. It flies ATR 72s to 13 destinations, including Nosy Be, Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga and Sainte-Marie. In late July 2026 it also relaunched Antananarivo – Moroni (Comoros) via Mahajanga.

Aquajet launched on 30 March 2026 a 10-seat light-aircraft service Antananarivo – Mahajanga – Nosy Be – Antsiranana, with short stops, to revive travel in the north-west. A handy option for a northern circuit; check flight days with the operator.

Domestic flights are often rescheduled, merged or cancelled. To compare plane, road and boat, read our guide How to get around Madagascar.

What's new for 2026-2027

• Réunion – Sainte-Marie – Antananarivo: Madagascar Airlines has announced the return of this route on ATR 72s, with two flights a week from 16 December 2026. Good news for combining Sainte-Marie, its whales and Nosy Be.
• Marseille, China (Guangzhou) and Bangkok: these routes are only under study by the national airline. Marseille depends on getting a long-haul aircraft. Nothing can be booked yet.
• Ethiopian Airlines moved to a daily Addis Ababa – Nosy Be flight on 6 July 2026.

Summary table

Our booking tips

• Book early: for July-August, October half-term and Christmas, seats to Nosy Be go fast, especially on seasonal direct flights.
• Leave a buffer for domestic flights: never plan a tight connection between your international flight and a domestic one. A night in Antananarivo saves a lot of trouble.
• One ticket if possible: if you are delayed, the airline then has to rebook you. With two separate tickets, you are on your own.
• Check your baggage: the allowance on domestic ATR flights may differ from your international flight, so check it on each ticket. A soft bag is easier, and keep the essentials in your carry-on.
• Mind the season: from January to March, the cyclone season can disrupt flights and boats. To pick the right time, read When to visit Madagascar.
• Re-check your times a few days before departure, and once more the day before a domestic flight.

Our airport pickup and transfers

We are a local agency based in Nosy Be, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (licence no. 089-MTA/SG/DGT/DAIT/SAT-EDBM.26), and our local guides have been looking after travellers since 2017. We wait for you outside Fascène airport with a sign showing your name and drive you to your hotel.

• Meet and greet in Nosy Be, even if your flight is late: we track the schedules.
• Private transfers to your hotel, then to the boat landing for your excursions.
• Flight-aware planning: we help you fit your excursions around your domestic flights.

Once you are here, get ideas from our guide Things to do in Nosy Be.

Frequently asked questions

Are there direct flights from Europe to Nosy Be?

Yes, but only from Italy and only in season: Neos operates seasonal direct flights from Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino to Nosy Be. From France and the rest of Europe there is no direct flight to Nosy Be: you connect via Antananarivo, Réunion or a hub such as Addis Ababa.

Which airline flies non-stop from Paris to Antananarivo?

Air France flies non-stop between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Antananarivo several times a week, depending on the season. Corsair links Paris-Orly with Antananarivo via Réunion, without changing planes.

How do I get from Antananarivo to Nosy Be?

The easiest way is a domestic flight with Madagascar Airlines, which takes back the name Air Madagascar from 31 October 2026. By road and then boat, the journey takes several days. Always allow a buffer, because domestic flight times change often.

Does Tsaradia still exist?

Not as a separate airline. Tsaradia, Air Madagascar's former domestic subsidiary, was merged into Madagascar Airlines in 2021, which becomes Air Madagascar again at the end of October 2026. Domestic flights are sold under the national airline's brand.

How far ahead should I book my flight to Nosy Be?

For July-August and European school holidays, book several months ahead: seasonal direct flights and domestic flights to Nosy Be fill up fast. Book your domestic flight at the same time as your international flight, ideally with a night's buffer in Antananarivo.