Island hopping: Air Mauritius targets daily Gatwick flights as UK growth drive gathers pace
Air Mauritius is setting its sights on expanding its presence in the UK market as part of a broader growth drive. The airline currently operates up to five non-stop weekly flights between Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport and London Gatwick. It is also working more closely with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) to convert the islands’ enduring appeal into seat revenue.
The UK represents Mauritius’ second-largest tourism source market after France, and the MTPA is sharpening its collaboration with the national carrier as part of its #WeareMauritius campaign.
“For Destination Mauritius, it is fundamental that the MTPA works closely with our national airline in ensuring a seamless option across various cities for the visitors of our tropical paradise,” said Dinesh Burrenchobay, Chairman, MTPA, during a press briefing on Friday, 19 June.
Air Mauritius eyes growth at Gatwick
The airline’s relationship with Gatwick is part of a deliberate strategic shift. Air Mauritius moved its London operations from Heathrow to Gatwick in 2023, as it navigated slot restrictions and the higher costs of operating from the UK’s primary aviation hub.
Laurent Recora, Air Mauritius’s Chief Commercial Officer, is clear that the move has paid off. “Gatwick is working very well for us,” he acknowledged, adding that the airline’s ambition is to take the route daily “at the earliest opportunity.”
Other key tourism source markets for Mauritius include Réunion Island, Germany, South Africa and India. Two significant route announcements are imminent: Recora confirmed a new service to New York is due to launch shortly, while an additional destination in Asia is also set to be revealed. The airline’s network expansion comes as the carrier approaches its 60th anniversary of operations in 2027.
Resilience in a turbulent global environment
Like every international carrier, Air Mauritius has not been immune to the geopolitical disruption in the Middle East. But Recora believes the airline’s non-stop capability gives it a structural advantage where others are exposed to competition from the Middle Eastern carriers,” he said.
“We learnt during Covid, as an isolated island nation, the role we could play in converting our aircraft to transport cargo instead of passengers and ensure supplies could be delivered to the island”. It is a lesson that has proved equally relevant during the current period of global instability, with the airline pushing its non-stop connectivity to and from Port Louis.
Fleet expansion for Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius currently operates a fleet of 12 aircraft with an average age of 12.4 years. Its fleet comprises four Airbus A350-900s, two A330-900neos, two A330-200s and four ATR 72 turboprops. The first of three new A350-900s, ordered at the Paris Air Show in 2023, is due for delivery in December.
The incoming A350s will bring an enhanced premium experience, with business class seating increasing from 28 to 32 seats. The A350s are earmarked to ultimately replace the A330-200s.
Recora was candid about the airline’s size. “We may not be the largest airline or serve every destination, but we understand our market deeply and the role we play in connecting Mauritius to the world,” he said.
Regional expansion and airport collaboration
The airline currently serves 13 destinations and over 70 destinations through its codeshare partners, including Air France.
On its domestic network, Air Mauritius currently operates up to 10 daily flights between Port Louis and neighbouring Rodrigues Island, using its ATR aircraft. The 1,200-metre runway at Plaine Corail Airport on Rodrigues has long restricted operations to turboprops. However, that constraint is expected to be alleviated.
A runway extension project, backed by $184 million from the World Bank and EUR 15.6 million from the European Union, is moving forward. Recora revealed that a request for proposals for the construction of the runway is due to be issued shortly.
While conversations about extending the runway have been ongoing for over two decades, he is now confident that with funding secured, the runway could be completed within three years. “At which point, narrowbody jets could be deployed on the route, opening the possibility of significantly adding more capacity to the island.
On the ground at SSR, Air Mauritius is working with authorities and the airport operator to improve the passenger experience with plans to introduce a self-check-in area for its travellers.
Burrenchobay added: “We have to know and understand where our weaknesses are, and the airport could do more to represent a sense of place through simple measures, such as having a dedicated area selling locally made products.” He also agreed that for an island whose entire economic proposition rests on tourism, the airport remains both a first and last impression.
Recovery begins to show at Air Mauritius
The airline’s commercial ambition is underpinned by an improving financial picture. The carrier has been under new leadership since January 2025 and reported a net profit of MUR 252.7 million (US$5.4 million) in the first quarter of its 2025/2026 financial year. The airline currently employs around 3,000 people in Mauritius, reinforcing its importance not just as a national carrier but also as a national institution.
With daily London services now in its sights, new long-haul routes on the horizon, and the Rodrigues infrastructure breakthrough finally within reach, Air Mauritius is confident that its recovery is real and the growth ambitions that follow are equally serious.
Featured image: photogoodwin – stock.adobe.com
