Air Mauritius orders new aircraft to grow European network

The carrier confirmed the order for an additional three Airbus A350 aircraft at the Paris Air Show on Monday (19 June).

The wide-body A350 can seat upwards of 400, depending on its configuration, and offers non-stop range of nearly 10,000 nautical miles. Air Mauritius already operates four A350s with 28 business and 298 economy seats, as well as four Airbus A330 aircraft.

"The additional A350-900 aircraft will help us strengthen our European network and secure further growth in other markets," said Air Mauritius chief executive Kresimir Kucko.

Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of international, added the A350 offered "greater range capability, better economics, passenger capacity and comfort".

Air Mauritius currently operates its five-times-weekly Heathrow service using both its A330 and A350 aircraft. The route will move to Gatwick and increase to daily this coming winter, starting Sunday 29 October.