Air-India to restart Mauritius services

National flag carrier Air-India, after a gap of 20 years, is planning to restart its Mumbai-Mauritius services, while Air Mauritius has firmed up plans to step up flights from the country.

Air-India has a minority stake of 2.5 per cent in Air Mauritius. Air-India Director (public relations) Jitender Bhargava said the airline will be relaunching its Mauritius services by deploying the 210-seater A310 aircraft.

"The service is likely to start from March-end or early April," Bhargav said. According to sources, the India-Mauritius route grew substantially with high tourism travel.

"Moreover, Air-India has the capacity available as A310 aircraft will be released following the induction of Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating under carrier's low-cost no-frill airline Air-India Express," they pointed out.

Meanwhile, Air Mauritius is all set to increase its capacity and flight frequency between two countries. At present, Air Mauritius is operating 9 flights a week from cities including Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai.

Air Mauritius Managing Director Nirvan Veerasamy said the airline will launch daily flights from Mumbai-Mauritus sector while it will add one flight each from Chennai and Delhi.

"We have rights to operate 14 flights a week and we are planning to utilise those compelety. We are also looking at various other cities like Bangalore," Veeraswamy said.

The airline would replace its existing 175-seater Boeing 767 aircraft with the 309-seater Airbus 340. Veeraswamy added that the airline was in the process finalising a special tour package for Indian corporate and leisure travellers.

"We are also in talks with some leading players in India to launch an innovative medical tourism initiative which will complement strength of both the countries. We are also offering special packages for MICE - Marketing, Incentives, Conferences and Entertainment to attract corporate travel," Veeraswamy said.