Big decisions are on the agenda of the national airline. Air Mauritius is about to renew some of its aircraft and the fight between Airbus and Boeing to obtain the contract is nearly at an end. Air Mauritius intends to give the winner’s name in December. In addition, the company is seriously thinking of increasing the number of its flights to London and Madagascar.

Now that both the American and French companies have submitted their first proposals, they’re waiting for negotiations to start. The government and Air Mauritius are both studying each proposal. Both airlines will be called again before mid-November to make a second presentation, the general manager, Megh Pillay, declared.

As the State intends to finance the transaction through an offset deal, the companies should also present their products to the government in the coming weeks. This transaction will cost around Rs 12 billion. The contract doesn’t involve just the replacement of two Boeings; it should actually be the beginning of the renewal of the whole air fleet.

Air Mauritius has not revealed its strategy concerning the renewal of its aircraft. Both Boeing and Airbus are adamant that it should buy only one type of aircraft but Air Mauritius could well decide to mix both brands. In such a case, they will have at least made everyone happy.

Daily flights to London

The national airline is also expanding its service between Mauritius and London. Air Mauritius is considering the possibility of a daily flight as from next year. This decision could look surprising as the number of tourist arrivals has gone down. However, the increasing number of students and the fact that Mauritians don’t need a visa for the UK seem to be bringing more travellers on this route.

With four flights a week, around 81% of seats are filled, which has led the company to introduce a fifth flight. “According to our original planning, a sixth weekly flight was to be implemented in 2005 and a seventh one in 2006. But everything points to the fact that we’ll have to introduce seven flights a week as from next year,” an Air Mauritius representative says.

The national airline is also rethinking its regional strategy. There is greater air traffic with Madagascar and Air Mauritius has signed an agreement with Air Seychelles. This could mean more island hopping and connections with East Africa.

Another sign that the national airline is optimistic and confident about the future is that it keeps working on its image. The presentation of the Indian dishes of its revamped on-flight menu is one indication. The other is that it is rethinking its brand image - its logo, colour scheme and even the names of its different classes. The paille-en-queue is definitely spreading its wings…