Air Mauritius to reassess remaining A350 orders as part of strategic review

Indian Ocean carrier outlines fleet considerations as it seeks long-term sustainable operation.
Air Mauritius is rethinking its remaining Airbus A350 orders, while seeking smaller aircraft types under a revised strategic business plan.

The measure is part of a series of ambitions unveiled by chief executive Andre Viljoen, following an in-depth review of the carrier’s operations.

“Modernising the fleet is not simply about acquiring new aircraft,” the carrier states, adding that the fleet should be “fully-aligned” with its network.

“This strategy ensures that Air Mauritius has the right aircraft, operating on the right routes, at the right frequency, to support both commercial success and national connectivity.”

The airline recently conducted an investigation into the way its fleet modernisation had been carried out – a probe for which it called in a risk advisory consultant.

Air Mauritius started introducing A350-900s in 2017. It has four in its fleet, two of which are from an order for five placed directly with Airbus.

The airline’s review recommends “reassessing” the three remaining A350s on order.

It also states that a request for proposals for five narrowbody aircraft is “under way” and there is a plan to convert one of its ATR 72-500 turboprops into a cargo and medevac aircraft for serving Mauritius’s Rodrigues island.

Viljoen says the overall strategic review aims to address challenges and “reinforce the company’s foundations” while positioning it for “sustainable, long-term growth”.

“While we perfect the basics, we can decide where we fly, what we fly, who we fly with, what it costs, how we serve, how we earn and what we leave behind,” he adds.

Initial evidence from early implementation measures are encouraging, with the highest technical dispatch reliability in six years, and improved customer satisfaction.

But the fleet and network, as well as the cost base, are “harder questions” which need to be addressed, says the carrier.

Its ambitions include strengthening airline partnerships to increase revenues. “In today’s aviation industry, no airline succeeds alone,” the carrier says.

Air Mauritius adds that it needs to pursue operational efficiency and cost reduction “relentlessly”.

“Achieving these ambitions will require a shared commitment across the organisation, disciplined execution and a continued focus on delivering lasting value for Mauritius,” says Viljoen.

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