Boeing

Air Austral, based in Reunion Island, has announced a route and fleet expansion program that includes two new Boeing 777-200ERs to serve its new Paris-Reunion route. To celebrate its expanded service, the carrier has unveiled a new airplane livery.

Air Austral carries 400,000 passengers annually to Comoros Islands, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, and South Africa. Gerard Etheve, airline president and general director, founded the profitable regional carrier in 1974. Deliveries are scheduled for April and May 2003 from International Lease Finance Corporation.