Mauritius

Africa

2Airlines
0Profiled Airports
1With ICAO
2With Callsign

Aviation History

Air Mauritius, founded in 1967 the year before the country's independence from Britain, has been the island's flag carrier for nearly six decades, pioneering a distinctive point-to-point long-haul network connecting the small Indian Ocean nation directly to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The airline weathered a severe financial crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, entering voluntary administration in 2020 before a government-backed restructuring allowed it to resume operations in 2021. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, named for the country's first prime minister, remains the island's sole major international gateway and a critical artery for its tourism-dependent economy.

Air Mauritius pioneered a point-to-point long-haul model, connecting the small island directly to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia without a traditional hub-and-spoke network.
Air Mauritius was among the first national airlines worldwide to enter administration during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020.
Mauritius's main airport is named after Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the country's first prime minister and a key architect of its independence.
1967
Air Mauritius founded

Air Mauritius is established with backing from British, French and Indian carrier partners, a year ahead of Mauritius' independence from Britain.

1972
Scheduled operations begin

Air Mauritius commences scheduled flight operations, initially with technical and commercial support from partner carriers.

1994
Airbus A340 long-haul fleet introduced

Air Mauritius introduces Airbus A340 wide-body jets, extending nonstop long-haul routes to Europe and Asia and reinforcing its point-to-point strategy.

2020
Voluntary administration during COVID-19

Air Mauritius enters voluntary administration as the COVID-19 pandemic collapses international tourism, the country's main economic driver.

2021
Restructuring and relaunch

Air Mauritius exits administration after a government-backed restructuring plan recapitalizes the airline, resuming a leaner long-haul network.

Notable Carriers

Air Mauritius

Wikipedia, Air Mauritius corporate history, news coverage of the 2020 restructuring

Airlines2