Air Mauritius strengthens its presence in India
Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL) now holds nearly 95% of the shares of Air Mauritius. In its capacity as majority shareholder, it intends to inject a new operational dynamic into the Mauritian flag carrier which has spent more than a year under provisional administration, having been burdened by colossal debts.
From Sunday 27 March, Air Mauritius will boost its offer to India with five flights per week between Port Louis and Mumbai.
The route is operated without competition with Airbus A330-900 aircraft accommodating 28 passengers in Business Class and 260 in Economy. Departures are scheduled every day except Monday and Friday at 5:30 pm and arrive the next day at 1:10 am. In the opposite direction, return flights leave the Indian megapolis every day except Tuesday and Saturday at 2.55 a.m. and land in the Mauritian capital at 7.25 a.m. Air Mauritius offers this route to the Indian capital, with the Mumbai - New Delhi leg being operated by Indian carrier Vistara under their interline agreement.
In December 2021, Air Mauritius announced a reciprocal loyalty partnership between its Kestrelflyer loyalty programme and Air Canada's Aeroplan programme. Since 14 March 2022, this partnership allows Air Mauritius passengers to earn miles on domestic and international flights of the Canadian national airline. In return, Star Alliance customers can earn miles when flying on Air Mauritius, and in both cases travellers can use their miles on each other's flights.
"This new partnership enriches the Air Mauritius frequent flyer programme offering, giving Kestrelflyer members access to more premium air products in the North American region," said a statement from the Mauritius flag carrier. There are no code-shares between the two airlines at this time.
As a reminder, Air Mauritius, which was placed in receivership in April 2020, was given a rescue plan of 282 million dollars in September 2021. Under this plan, Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL) became the new main shareholder of Air Mauritius, progressively acquiring the shares held by Air Mauritius Holding (40.4%), Airports of Mauritius Ltd (20.9%), the Mauritian government (6.6%), State Investment Corporation (3.6%), Rogers and Company (3.4%), Air France (2.2%), Air India (2%) and the National Pensions Fund (1.6%), as well as other small shareholders. To date, AHL holds 94.04% of the shares of Air Mauritius. Only the shares of resistant shareholders remain for the conglomerate to take full control of the national airline. The price offered to these shareholders is 5.80 rupees per share.
