Reunion carrier Air Austral has signed a purchase agreement covering three Airbus A220-300s.
The Indian Ocean territory operator primarily uses long-haul types including Boeing 777-300ERs and 787-8s.
It unveiled its agreement to take the A220s during an African airline event on Reunion. The first aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines, is set to arrive at the end of next year.
Air Austral's short-haul fleet comprises a pair of Boeing 737-800s and an ATR 72-500, all of which are about a decade old.
The airline has a partnership with Air Madagascar, in which it holds a substantial ownership stake.
Air Madagascar also has a short-haul fleet including Boeing 737s and ATR turboprops, some of which are allocated to its local operation Tsaradia.
