Tunisair’s Struggle: Why the 2025 Recovery Plan Still Isn’t Taking Off
Updated July 2025 • By [Your Name]
1. Unfulfilled Promise: Rescue Plan Slipped Past March Deadline
In January 2025, a Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Kamel Madouri required the Transport Ministry to submit a comprehensive restructuring plan for Tunisair by the end of March 2025, aimed at improving governance, financial stability, and competitiveness :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Yet by July, no formal plan had gained parliamentary approval, raising alarm over execution delays.
2. Presidential Intervention Amplifies Pressure
In late March, President Kais Saied convened with Transport Minister Rachid Amri and Acting CEO Halima Khouaja. He emphasized that the airline’s fleet had shrunk from 24 to just 10 aircraft, while maintenance backlogs—normally done in 10 days—stretched to 123 days, costing the carrier “tens of billions of dinars” :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. He called out favoritism in hiring and stressed that Tunisair and Tunis-Carthage Airport would not be abandoned.
3. Operational Metrics: Small Gains Amid Crisis
Despite turmoil, Q1‑2025 saw a modest 1.3% revenue increase to TND 323.4 m. Passenger volumes dropped 4% to 495,195, but load factor climbed to 74.3% :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}. Fuel spending fell 19%, yet leasing costs rose as the airline sought temporary capacity. Overall debt decreased by 18% following loan repayments—indicating disciplined financial rollback even without a formal rescue plan.
4. Fleet Emergency: Can Plan Restore Aircraft Strength?
By May 2025, active fleet numbers had risen to 14 aircraft—11 owned, 3 leased—with plans to reach 21 by 2026 through refurbishment and new deliveries :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}. The government’s ambitious $500 m fleet renewal includes seven new jets by 2025-end, funded largely through sale–leaseback deals :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
Yet Reddit users highlight ongoing technical delays: “if an issue happens … that flight will be delayed at least 12hrs… since they don’t have a lot of planes” :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}. This underscores why a robust recovery plan isn’t just desirable—it’s essential.
5. Governance Reforms: Overhaul or Bust
The President criticized “illegal and unjustified” hirings and flagged operational favoritism :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}. Back in January, the cabinet laid out structural reforms: clarify mandates, enforce accountability, ensure data‑driven management, and professionalize the board :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}. But absent published KPIs or timelines, it remains to be seen if appointments—including that of Halima Khouaja—will yield improved performance.
6. What Should the Recovery Plan Cover?
- Fleet rehabilitation timeline: concrete milestones to restore 21 aircraft by 2026.
- Governance fix: transparent hiring, competitive procurement, and independent oversight.
- Operational efficiency: reduce maintenance lead times back to regional norms (~10 days).
- Financial projections: budgeting, leasing strategies, and debt repayment plan.
- Route & market strategy: strengthen profitable European routes and target new markets (e.g., China, US by 2028) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
- Customer experience upgrades: improve punctuality, in‑flight conditions, and communication.
7. Potential Risks Without a Plan
Service deterioration: further delays, cancellations, and poor passenger experience.
Financial hemorrhage: maintenance backlog drives high leasing costs and revenue erosion.
Political fallout: national pride at stake—Tunisair represents sovereignty; its failure could provoke public outrage or calls for partial privatization :contentReference
Conclusion: Stakes Are High for National Pride and Viability
Tunisair’s recovery plan—originally slated for March—has been delayed, but the signs of progress are mixed. Revenue is slowly improving and fleet numbers are inching up. However, without detailed timelines, clear governance reforms, and operational targets, the airline may struggle to regain stability.
Next steps: The Transport Ministry must release a fully fleshed-out plan: one that details fleet replenishment, governance overhaul, financial discipline, and return-to-service metrics. Both the Cabinet and Presidency are watching—failure isn’t an option for Tunisia’s flag carrier.
Follow our Tunisia Aviation Watch for timely updates on the recovery plan’s approval, fleet expansion, and route relaunches.
Related Aviation Coverage
- Q1 2025 Financial & Operational Review
- Inside the $500m Fleet Renewal Strategy
- Governance Reforms at Tunisair: What’s Changing?
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This post by africaintelligence.com