Air Mauritius plans South India foray

Air Mauritius has already expanded its operations to Delhi after Mumbai, and with the demand growing for the island nation, the airline plans to increase frequency from Delhi. As part of their strategic vision, they also plan to expand network to the southern regions of India by introducing direct non-stop flights.

Nisha Verma

Air Mauritius resumed its services between Delhi and Mauritius from 3 May 2023, offering two weekly flights on an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, informs Sixtine Marot, Head Sales and Marketing, Air Mauritius.

New frontiers

The airline was already connecting the island nation to Mumbai, and with the new addition of Delhi, the prospects of tourism flourishing in the country would grow further. Elaborating on the development, she says, “We are delighted to witness an increase in passenger numbers and are grateful for the unwavering support from our trade partners and valued customers. In response to the growing demand, Air Mauritius is enhancing its connectivity by introducing a third weekly flight on the Delhi route, beginning in November 2023. This is an exciting addition to the existing six weekly flights that operate between Mumbai and Mauritius. This year, Air Mauritius is commemorating 50 years of steadfast operations to Mumbai.”

Leisure in focus

Called as the honeymooners’ paradise for Indians, Mauritius is today witnessing a wide variety of tourists coming to its shores. Marot agrees, “Mauritius primarily attracts leisure travellers, making up a significant portion of the traffic. These leisure travellers include a diverse mix of honeymooners, families, and wedding groups, drawn to the island’s idyllic setting. Additionally, the M!CE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment is also vibrant, catering to business events and gatherings. Given the robust economic, historical and business ties between India and Mauritius, corporate travellers and workers also form an essential part of our customer base on this route.”

Teaming with MTPA

She says that they are making sure that they cater to all segments of travel from India. “Air Mauritius is committed to fulfilling the diverse travel needs of all market segments. Being the national carrier of Mauritius, we maintain a strategic partnership with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) to actively promote tourism from India. Our dedicated efforts focus on tailoring services to cater to various customer groups, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable travel experience for all. Through the MTPA tie-up, we aim to enhance India-Mauritius tourism,” adds Marot.

Best for summer

Pointing out that the Indian summer travel season conveniently aligns with the low travel season in their primary markets across Europe, she says, “This synchronicity presents a favourable opportunity for passengers from India, as they can benefit from increased availability and ease in securing hotel accommodations during this period.”

Growth plans

Sharing their growth plans Marot says, “As part of our strategic vision, Air Mauritius aims to expand its network by introducing direct non-stop flights to the southern regions of India. This plan aligns with our commitment to enhancing air connectivity and fostering stronger ties between key destinations in South India and Mauritius.” Air Mauritius also has a code share arrangement with Air India.

Marketing & promotions

When it comes to marketing, Marot says that they work in close collaboration with their trade partners and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) to proactively promote the destination in the market.

Trade engagement

Saying that Air Mauritius fosters a strong and dynamic relationship with the travel trade in India, she adds, “We engage in collaborative efforts to promote Mauritius as an enticing destination.”

 

 

 

 

Check Also

India numbers rising for Fiji

Robert Thompson, Executive Director of Regions, Tourism Fiji, says they want to put more focus …