Air Mauritius, the flag carrier of Mauritius, has a rich history and a modern fleet that connects the island nation to the world. From its early days as a ground handler to its current status as a key player in the aviation industry, Air Mauritius has continuously evolved to meet the demands of global travel.
Early Years and Expansion
Air Mauritius was incorporated in 1967. Until then, Air Mauritius mainly operated as a ground handler. In 1973, a wet-leased Vickers VC10 from British Airways enabled the company to launch a long-haul route to London via Nairobi, whereas services to Bombay were operated by Air India. A 16-seater Del Havilland Twin Otter was the first aircraft purchased by Air Mauritius in February 1975.
By April 1980, the company had 414 employees and a fleet of one Boeing 707-420, one Boeing 737-200 and two Twin Otters to serve a route network of passenger and cargo services to Bombay, London, Nairobi, Réunion, Rodrigues, Rome and Tananarive. Ownership of the company had changed to have the Government of Mauritius as the major shareholder (42.5%), followed by Rogers & Co. (17.5%), Air France and British Airways (15% each) and Air India (10%).
Air Mauritius acquired a second-hand Boeing 707-320B in 1981. During the early 1980s, routes to Durban and Johannesburg were inaugurated using Boeing 707-320B aircraft flown with Air India and British Airways crews. By March 1985, the fleet comprised two Boeing 707-320Bs, a Boeing 737-200, a Boeing 747SP and a Twin Otter. That month, the first of two Bell 206 JetRangers was incorporated.
Growth and Modernization
Named "Paille en Queue" and leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), the first Airbus A340-300 entered the fleet in May 1994; following delivery, a Boeing 747SP that was on lease from SAA was returned. The airline became the first in the Southern Hemisphere to fly the A340-300. A second A340-300, named "Pink Pigeon" and purchased directly from Airbus, was handed over by the aircraft manufacturer in October. Services to Brussels and Cape Town were launched in July and November of that year. At April 2000, Air Mauritius had 2,000 employees.
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In July 2014, during the Farnborough Air Show, it was announced Air Mauritius signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for six Airbus A350-900s, of which two would be leased from AerCap and with the option to place additional orders for up to three more aircraft of the type between 2023 and 2025. In February 2017, Air Mauritius announced that it would be leasing two Airbus A330-900 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation to replace two Airbus A340-300E aircraft from September and October 2018. Due to delays from Airbus, these aircraft were delivered in April and June 2019. The two Airbus A350-900 that were due to be delivered in 2020, were pushed back to 2023.
It was also announced that the airline's existing aircraft would be refurbished with new seats, new inflight entertainment systems and onboard Wi-Fi. On 19 June 2023, Air Mauritius announced that it confirmed an order for three Airbus A350-900, an increase of one plane from the original 2014 order.
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Current Fleet Details
As of recently, Air Mauritius operates a modern fleet of Airbus and ATR aircraft. The fleet includes:
- Airbus A350-900
- Airbus A330-900neo
- Airbus A330-200
- ATR 72-500
- ATR 72-600
The Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft offers a smooth and efficient journey. Featuring Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines for exceptional fuel efficiency, the A330-900neo aircraft provides spacious seating and full-flat seats in Business Class. The Airbus A330-200 aircraft is known for its high operational efficiency. The ATR 72 is designed for island-hopping with short runway capability and eco-friendliness.
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Here's a detailed look at the current Air Mauritius fleet:
| Aircraft Type | Registration | Serial Number (MSN) | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A330-243 | 3B-NCL | ||
| Airbus A330-243 | 3B-NCM | ||
| Airbus A330-941 | 3B-NBU | ||
| Airbus A330-941 | 3B-NBV | ||
| Airbus A350-941 | 3B-NBP | ||
| Airbus A350-941 | 3B-NBQ | ||
| Airbus A350-941 | 3B-NCE | ||
| Airbus A350-941 | 3B-NCF | ||
| ATR 72-500 | 3B-NBG | ||
| ATR 72-500 | 3B-NBN | ||
| ATR 72-500 | 3B-NBO | ||
| ATR 72-600 | 3B-NCP | ||
| ATR 72-600 | 3B-NCU | ||
| ATR 72-600 | 3B-NCV |
Strategic Partnerships and Routes
In addition to providing non-stop air travel services to prominent destinations such as Australia, France, Switzerland, India, Madagascar, Malaysia, Reunion, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, Air Mauritius offers extensive global connectivity through strategic codeshare partnerships, providing comprehensive and seamless travel solutions.
Air Mauritius has codeshare agreements with several airlines, including:
- Air France
- Air India
- Emirates
- Kenya Airways
- Malaysia Airlines
- Saudia
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
These partnerships allow Air Mauritius to expand its reach and offer passengers more travel options.
Recent Developments
Air Mauritius has selected Airbus’ Fleet Technical Management (FTM) services to enhance the operational efficiency of its A350 and A330 fleet. The airline has also chosen, for its new direct order A350 aircraft, Airbus’ Design Studio for cabin interior design services and also the latest generation business seats from Stelia Aerospace for an enhanced passenger experience.
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