Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius is the flag carrier of Mauritius, operating international passenger and cargo services from its hub at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Air Mauritius is the national and flag carrier of Mauritius, headquartered in Port Louis and operating primarily from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. The airline was established on 14 June 1967 by Air France, BOAC and the Government of Mauritius, with participation from Rogers and Co., which acted as a local general sales agent. It initially concentrated on ground handling and related support activities before beginning flight operations in 1972. The carrier’s first own-operated service linked Mauritius with Rodrigues using a leased six-seat Piper PA-31 Navajo. During the 1970s it developed international capability through wet leases and cooperation with Air France, Air India, British Airways and other carriers. Long-haul operations in its own right began in 1977, and the airline gradually built a network connecting Mauritius with the Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Its route development reflected the country’s dependence on aviation for tourism, trade, family travel and access to overseas labor and business markets. Air Mauritius expanded and modernized its fleet through successive generations of Boeing, ATR and Airbus aircraft. Boeing 767s enabled long-range twin-engine operations in the late 1980s, while Airbus A340s became central to the fleet from 1994. The airline was the first carrier in the Southern Hemisphere to operate the A340-300. Later fleet changes included Airbus A319s, A330s and A350s, as well as cabin refurbishment and planned improvements to onboard connectivity. The airline also operated cargo services and maintained a frequent-flyer program called Kestrelflyer. The company became publicly traded in the mid-1990s. Air Mauritius Holdings Ltd. has historically been its controlling shareholder, with the Mauritian state retaining a direct and indirect ownership interest. The airline has also participated in regional cooperation, including the Vanilla Alliance established in 2015 with other Indian Ocean carriers, and developed partnerships and codeshare arrangements to extend its effective network. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp collapse in international travel and revenue. On 22 April 2020, the board placed Air Mauritius into voluntary administration after concluding that pandemic-related disruption made it impossible to meet financial obligations in the foreseeable future. The airline continued operating while restructuring its finances and business model and exited administration in mid-2021. It subsequently reduced and renewed parts of its fleet and worked to restore international connectivity. Air Mauritius has also faced governance and integrity controversies. The Caisse Noire affair involved alleged political and financial misconduct associated with the airline and led to a long investigation and prosecutions of former senior figures. In 2023, CEO Krešimir Kučko and CFO Laval Ah Chip were stood down after an investigation concerning hospitality provided by a supplier. In 2024, employees complained to Mauritian authorities about the approval and discount arrangements surrounding a business-class upgrade for CEO Charles Cartier and six family members. These events have contributed to continuing scrutiny of governance, procurement and executive benefits. The brand remains strategically important to Mauritius, although its precise current network, financial position and management structure require verification from current company disclosures.
History
Air Mauritius was founded on 14 June 1967 by Air France, BOAC and the Government of Mauritius, with Rogers and Co. holding the remaining local interest. During its early years the company focused on ground services and coordinated international flying with partner airlines. It began operating aircraft in its own right in August 1972, using a leased Piper Navajo on the Mauritius–Rodrigues route. The airline entered long-haul aviation through wet-leased aircraft and partner cooperation. A British Airways Vickers VC10 supported a London service via Nairobi in 1973, while Air India served Bombay. After the original cooperation arrangements ended, a Boeing 707-400 operated by British Airtours allowed Air Mauritius to begin long-haul flying in its own right, with long-range operations commencing in November 1977. Twin Otters supported regional and inter-island services, while additional Boeing aircraft expanded the network during the early 1980s. The carrier’s international footprint broadened to southern and eastern Africa, Europe and Asia. Routes to Durban and Johannesburg were added, followed by European destinations such as Rome, Zürich and Paris. A leased Boeing 747SP entered service in 1984 for long-haul operations. Boeing 767-200ER aircraft delivered in 1988 improved efficiency and range; one completed a record-setting commercial twinjet flight from Halifax to Mauritius in April of that year. ATR 42 aircraft replaced the Twin Otters on inter-island operations, and services to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and other Asian destinations followed. Fleet modernization accelerated in the 1990s. The first Airbus A340-300 joined the fleet in 1994, making Air Mauritius the first Southern Hemisphere airline to operate that type. Additional A340s supported expansion to Brussels, Cape Town and other European and African markets. The airline began trading on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius in 1995, and by the end of the decade it had become a substantial national employer and a major channel for Mauritius’s tourism economy. During the 2000s the airline introduced Airbus A319s for medium-haul African services, upgraded its A340 fleet and added Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Shanghai became a destination in 2011. Some routes, including Frankfurt, Geneva, Melbourne, Milan and Sydney, were suspended during the following year as the carrier adjusted its network. In March 2016 it launched the Air Corridor with direct Mauritius–Singapore services, intended to improve passenger and cargo flows between Africa and Asia. Air Mauritius pursued further fleet renewal in the 2010s, including plans for Airbus A350-900s, Airbus A330-900s and cabin upgrades with new seats, entertainment systems and Wi-Fi. Delivery schedules changed, and some A350 aircraft were temporarily sublet to South African Airways before being returned early. In 2021 the airline sold its Airbus A319 and remaining A340 aircraft, ending 27 years of A340 operations, and completed the retirement of its A330-200 aircraft later that year. The pandemic represented the most severe recent interruption. On 22 April 2020 the board placed the company into voluntary administration after travel restrictions and the collapse in demand made its financial obligations unsustainable. Air Mauritius continued operations while pursuing restructuring and exited administration in mid-2021. Its later strategy centered on rebuilding its international network, matching capacity to demand and preserving the role of a national carrier for an island economy. The airline’s corporate history has included governance controversies. The Caisse Noire affair generated a lengthy investigation and prosecutions involving former senior figures. More recently, the 2023 standing-down of the CEO and CFO over supplier-provided hospitality and the 2024 complaints concerning executive family travel benefits brought renewed attention to procurement controls and executive conduct. Air Mauritius remains an important national brand, but up-to-date information about its fleet, routes, ownership, management and financial condition should be checked against current disclosures.
- 2023
Senior executives stood down
[1]CEO Krešimir Kučko and CFO Laval Ah Chip are stood down following an investigation into hospitality provided by an airline supplier.
- 2021
Administration ends and A340 operations conclude
[1]Air Mauritius exits administration and sells its A319 and remaining A340 aircraft; the A340’s 27-year period with the airline ends.
- 2020
Voluntary administration begins
[1]The board places the company into voluntary administration after the COVID-19 crisis causes an unprecedented fall in international travel and revenue.
- 2016
Air Corridor launched
[1]Direct Mauritius–Singapore services launch under the Air Corridor initiative, intended to support passenger and cargo movement between Africa and Asia.
- 2015
Vanilla Alliance established
[1]Air Mauritius joins Air Austral, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles and Int’Air Îles in establishing the Vanilla Alliance to improve Indian Ocean connectivity.
- 1995
Public listing begins
[1]Air Mauritius begins trading on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius after receiving listing approval in the preceding year.
- 1994
Airbus A340 introduced
[1]Air Mauritius receives its first Airbus A340-300 and becomes the first airline in the Southern Hemisphere to operate the type.
- 1988
Boeing 767 fleet introduced
[1]Two Boeing 767-200ER aircraft enter service, strengthening the carrier’s long-range network and operating efficiency.
- 1977
Long-haul operations begin independently
[1]Air Mauritius begins long-range operations in its own right after earlier services supported by wet leases and partner airlines.
- 1972
Own-operated flights begin
[1]The airline begins operating its own flights between Mauritius and Rodrigues using a leased Piper PA-31 Navajo.
Products and positioning
The national island carrier of Mauritius, positioned as a connectivity provider linking Mauritius with Indian Ocean, African, Asian and European markets and supporting tourism, trade and national mobility.
Passenger airline services · 1972
Scheduled passenger flights
Air Mauritius’s principal offering is scheduled international passenger transportation from its Mauritius hub. Services have historically connected the island with destinations in the Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe and Asia, serving tourists, residents, visiting friends and relatives, business travelers and government or institutional travel. The network has been adjusted repeatedly in response to demand, aircraft availability, competition, economic conditions and regulatory constraints.
Air freight
Air cargo services
Cargo operations complement the passenger network by moving goods between Mauritius and overseas markets. Air freight supports the island’s tourism, manufacturing, food, pharmaceutical and general trading relationships, although the scale and exact current product structure vary with aircraft deployment and route schedules.
Frequent-flyer program
Kestrelflyer
Kestrelflyer is Air Mauritius’s frequent-flyer program. It provides loyalty accounts, including Silver and Gold tiers, for eligible passengers and is intended to encourage repeat travel on Air Mauritius and participating partners.
Aviation support services · 1967
Ground and related aviation services
Air Mauritius began as a ground-services company and has historically been associated with airport, handling and other aviation-related activities in addition to its airline operation. The scope and legal organization of these activities may change over time and should be confirmed through current corporate disclosures.
Controversies
2024
Complaints concerning CEO family travel
Employees complained to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Independent Commission Against Corruption about approval procedures and discounted business-class upgrades received by CEO Charles Cartier and six family members during travel to South Africa.
2024
Former CEO compensation claim
A former CEO pursued a compensation claim against Air Mauritius concerning sick leave, annual leave, bonuses and gratuities after his dismissal. The reported claim was approximately Rs 19.65 million, but the outcome is not established in the available material.
2023
Supplier-funded hospitality involving senior executives
An investigation found that CEO Krešimir Kučko and CFO Laval Ah Chip had benefited from an all-expenses-paid hotel stay in France provided by a leasing company that was also an Air Mauritius supplier. Both executives were stood down.
2001
Caisse Noire affair
Air Mauritius became associated with the politico-financial Caisse Noire affair. An investigation lasting from 2001 to 2015 resulted in prosecutions of several former senior figures, including Gérard Tyack and Harry Tirvengadum; Tyack was imprisoned.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016Air Corridor
Mauritius · Singapore · Africa · Asia
Air Mauritius launched direct flights between Mauritius and Singapore under the Air Corridor initiative, replacing an earlier routing through Kuala Lumpur and promoting links between African and Asian hubs.
Outcome. The initiative established a direct strategic connection intended to stimulate passenger and cargo traffic between Africa and Asia.
- 2015Vanilla Alliance
Indian Ocean region
Air Mauritius participated in the creation of the Vanilla Alliance with other Indian Ocean airlines. The cooperation was intended to improve regional air services and connectivity among Indian Ocean Commission markets.
Outcome. The alliance created a framework for cooperation, although the extent of its current activity and commercial outcomes requires current verification.
Brand decisions
2021
Retire older Airbus aircraftStrategyBackground
Following administration and the pandemic-related reduction in demand, Air Mauritius needed to align its fleet with its restructuring and operating requirements.
Action taken
The airline sold its two A319s and remaining A340s and completed the retirement of its A330-200 aircraft later in the year.
Aftermath
The change ended the airline’s 27-year operation of the A340 and reduced the number of older aircraft types in the fleet.
2020
Place the company into voluntary administrationOtherBackground
COVID-19 travel restrictions and the collapse in international demand sharply reduced revenue while the airline was already addressing financial and business-model problems.
Action taken
The board resolved on 22 April 2020 to place Air Mauritius into voluntary administration to protect the company and stakeholders while restructuring was pursued.
Aftermath
The airline continued operating during the process and exited administration in mid-2021.
2017
Lease Airbus A330-900 aircraftGeneration changeBackground
Air Mauritius planned to replace older A340-300 aircraft with more efficient wide-body equipment.
Action taken
The airline announced leases for two Airbus A330-900 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation.
Aftermath
Delivery was delayed from the originally expected 2018 dates to April and June 2019.
2014
Plan Airbus A350-900 fleet introductionProduct launchBackground
Air Mauritius sought to modernize its long-haul fleet and improve efficiency through new-generation wide-body aircraft.
Action taken
The airline signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for six A350-900 aircraft, including leased aircraft and options, although delivery plans later changed.
Aftermath
Some aircraft were delayed and two were sublet to South African Airways before being returned early during that airline’s financial difficulties.
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