[PMQT] Aviation: Navin Ramgoolam Updates on Flights to Asia and China

During the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) at the National Assembly on April 28, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam addressed the air services between Mauritius and Asia, as well as the status of direct flights to China. He noted that three airlines currently operate on the Mauritius-Asia route: Air Mauritius, Air India, and IndiGo. The served destinations include New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai in India, as well as Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that Air India and Malaysia Airlines have code-sharing agreements with Air Mauritius to facilitate connections to Asia. As for China, there are currently no direct flights between Mauritius and the country. China Southern Airlines ceased operations in November 2015, while Air Mauritius maintained the route until January 2020. However, discussions are reportedly ongoing between China Southern Airlines, Air Mauritius, and civil aviation authorities regarding a potential resumption of services.

The Prime Minister added that despite tensions in the Middle East, regular flights between Mauritius and Asia have not been disrupted so far. However, the global increase in Jet A1 fuel prices is impacting Air Mauritius’s operating costs and ticket prices. An internal committee has been established to explore ways to mitigate this impact.