The national airline has decided. It has chosen the European Airbus to replace its ageing Boeings. Air Mauritius will thus buy three Airbus A 340-300Es, which will be delivered as from October 2006. It may even buy two more later.

Emotion and disappointment could be felt on Boeing?s side. ?We offered unprecedented conditions to Air Mauritius but we could not do more. Every contract must be a win-win situation.?

Despite this obvious disappointment, all parties have been very careful in preserving good relations with each other for Air Mauritius has announced that this solution is only a transitional one until hi-tech models are available in each company. The ferce rivalry on Mauritian soil could thus start again by 2010.

The general manager of Air Mauritius, Megh Pillay, thanked both companies for their proposals but insisted that Airbus had offered more attractive ? even ?unbeatable? ? terms and conditions. However, he thanked Boeing ?because, if it had not been so aggressive and competitive, Air Mauritius would never have obtained such favourable conditions from Airbus.?

<B>Optimise existing infrastructures </B>

The fact is that Air Mauritius was bound to renew its 12 year-old fleet. However, with the high-tech aircraft hitting the market in 2010, whatever aeroplane the company buys now will be obsolete by then. As a result, the airline had to find the best deal in order not to spend too much on these aircraft and be able to buy others when they become available.

In this context, Airbus was undoubtedly the best buy. Not only did it make the best offer in terms of prices but it also represents a saving for Air Mauritius compared to Boeing aircraft. The national airline preferred to optimise its existing infrastructures. As the rest of its fleet is all composed of Airbus aircraft, Air Mauritius won?t have to spend money on maintenance and training if all its fleet comprises the same models. Once the two new aircraft are delivered in October 2006, the capacity of Air Mauritius will increase by 13%.

In 2006, not only will the new aircraft arrive but the A-340s of the national airline will also have to be refurbished. All aircraft will have the same design inside, as well as high-tech seats and equipment. First class and Business class will be merged into Business first, which will include couchettes tilted at 180°. The national airline intends to focus on even better quality service to make sure it remains competitive.