Air Mauritius: No Return to London Heathrow Before April 2027

Air Mauritius will not resume flights to London Heathrow airport before April 2027. This timeline was revealed in a written response submitted to Parliament a few days ago by the Prime Minister's Office, following a parliamentary question from Tony Apollon, MP for Mahébourg/Plaine-Magnien. The response outlines the reasons for transferring operations from Heathrow to Gatwick in October 2023, the financial implications of this decision, and the legal constraints delaying a potential return to Heathrow.

Regarding the possible return to Heathrow, the Prime Minister stated that upon taking office, he requested the new management of Air Mauritius to explore all options for resuming flights to this airport. However, he clarified that contractual obligations related to the slot leasing agreement are a major obstacle. Currently, flights to London Heathrow "cannot be operated before April 2027."

Nevertheless, the government claims it will pursue all possible measures to enable Air Mauritius to return to Heathrow "as soon as possible," while acknowledging that current constraints push any resumption beyond this deadline.

Air Mauritius has been operating to London Heathrow since 1973 and still holds three "historical slots" at this airport. However, on March 17, 2023, the airline announced that starting October 28, 2023, its operations would be moved to London Gatwick with daily flights. This decision was made by the then-board of directors, chaired by Marday Venketasamy, based on a proposal from the management at that time. The CEO of Air Mauritius was Krêsimir Kûcko.

According to Navin Ramgoolam, this choice was based on several considerations. First, CAPA Consulting, hired by Air Mauritius in February 2019 for strategic reviews, had long recommended transferring London operations from Heathrow to Gatwick to "support long-term growth." Between June 2018 and March 2020, Air Mauritius paid CAPA Consulting a total of $928,997, approximately Rs 36.2 million, for its advice.

Next, the development prospects at Heathrow were deemed limited. The airline had only three pairs of slots, with no possibility of acquiring more, capping operations at three weekly flights. Additionally, there was a lack of interest from UK carriers based at Heathrow to form commercial agreements with Air Mauritius, limiting connections to other UK airports and European destinations.

Costs were another determining factor. Airport fees and passenger service charges were higher at Heathrow than at Gatwick, and Heathrow had announced further price increases starting in 2024. The move to Gatwick was intended to allow Air Mauritius to operate daily flights, as opposed to three per week at Heathrow, with the stated aim of supporting tourism and trade exchange. The relocation also facilitated the conclusion of a commercial agreement in November 2023 with EasyJet, whose main hub is at Gatwick and provides connections across the UK and a vast intra-European network.

Before the final decision, a presentation was made to the then Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, in February 2023. It was after this effort that Air Mauritius's board of directors ratified the transfer of operations to Gatwick, as revealed by Navin Ramgoolam.

Cumulative Losses of Rs 2.6 Billion

In financial terms, the parliamentary response from Ramgoolam indicates significant losses. Between October 2023 and March 2024, Air Mauritius recorded a loss of about Rs 920 million on the Mauritius–London Gatwick route. For the financial year 2024-2025, the loss associated with this route amounted to approximately Rs 1.7 billion. In total, over a period of 17 months from October 2023 to March 2025, cumulative losses reach nearly Rs 2.6 billion.

In response to these results, the airline has implemented corrective measures. Among these is a reduction in flight frequency to Gatwick, decreased from seven to five weekly flights starting May 2025.

Meanwhile, the three historical slots held by Air Mauritius at Heathrow have been leased to Qatar Airways. This lease generates an annual income of $881,000, approximately Rs 41.4 million.

Megh Pillay, CEO of AHL, Praises the Resilience of Airport Holdings Ltd Employees

In a New Year message to employees, the CEO of Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL), Megh Pillay, reflects on a year marked by organizational changes and highlights the efforts made by the group’s teams.

From the outset of his message, he acknowledges that the past year has been "a time of adaptation, patience, and resilience." He notes that "transition phases are never easy," while believing they are "often necessary to build stronger foundations for the future." The CEO asserts that he is "fully aware of the efforts demanded of teams during such times" and emphasizes that "your work is seen, appreciated, and deeply respected."

Megh Pillay also highlights the human aspect of the group, reminding that Airport Holdings Ltd "brings together valuable men and women, equipped with strong skills and serving a vital mission for our country." He stresses the importance of collective functioning based on "a spirit of trust, transparency, and shared goals," believing this approach will "strengthen our organization and build something sustainable and meaningful." He also expresses his "personal commitment to this journey" and "confidence in what we will accomplish together."

The CEO encourages employees to "stay engaged," "support each other," and continue contributing "through your ideas, energy, and professionalism." He reminds them that "progress is always collective" and that "every step counts."

Airport Holdings Ltd is notably the owner of Air Mauritius, the airports of Mauritius and Rodrigues, and Mauritius Duty Free Paradise.

Air Mauritius: André Viljoen Envisions 2026 as a Year of New Ideas and Internal Mobilization

In his New Year message to employees, André Viljoen, CEO of Air Mauritius since October, looks ahead to 2026, which he presents as a year of opportunities and collective recovery.

He states that "on the horizon of 2026, we have an exciting opportunity to bring new ideas and take our airline to even greater heights." He emphasizes that this ambition relies on the involvement of all staff, indicating that he "counts on each of you, just as you can count on the management team, to give your best in everything we do."

The CEO reminds that employees are a strategic pillar of the company, stating that "our collaborators are at the heart of the development and success of Air Mauritius." He also highlights internal cohesion, believing that "your passion, dedication, and unity are what truly make Air Mauritius special."

In this message, André Viljoen also thanks the teams mobilized during the holidays, whose commitment ensures operational continuity and passenger safety.