Tribute to a regional flagship

Air Austral celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 11th with a private viewing at the Villa de la Région. Huguette Bello, President of the Réunion Region, inaugurated the “50 Years of Air Austral” exhibition before a large audience of aviation enthusiasts and local representatives.

The airline traces half a century of history, challenges overcome, and successes for the island. The exhibition’s scenography offers an immersive journey. Visitors discover the evolution of Réunion Air Service to the modern airline that Air Austral represents today. The exhibition tells the story of an island that transformed the sky into a link between Réunion and the world.

Students from the Gabin Dambreville School participated in the event with their imaginary aircraft models. These creations evoke the past, present, and future of air transport in Réunion and offer an innovative perspective on the role of aviation in the island’s development.

The Réunion Region is supporting this exhibition to showcase local successes and support businesses that promote the region’s accessibility and influence. This initiative also promotes Réunion’s excellence in all its forms and encourages younger generations to dream and innovate.

During her speech, Huguette Bello recalled the symbolic importance of the company. According to her, Air Austral was born from a dream: to break the isolation of an island located more than 9,000 kilometers from mainland France. “Together, we must preserve this regional flagship and take it further for future generations. The company represents a part of our identity and our destiny. Every Réunionese who has taken a plane to dream, work, love, or simply return home is part of this story,” she announced.

The “50 Years of Air Austral” exhibition invites visitors to travel back in time and discover the growth of a company that connects Reunion Island to the world and supports the economic and cultural development of the island.