The history of Air Mauritius dates back to the early 1960s, when a small group of investors from the island nation formed the first domestic airline. The first aircraft used was a de Havilland Dove, and the airline’s first flight departed from the capital city of Port Louis in May 1967.
By the early 1970s, Air Mauritius had grown exponentially, operating a fleet of seven aircrafts that serviced a network of domestic and regional destinations. In 1974, the company launched its first international route to Reunion Island, and shortly thereafter, service was extended to Paris and London.
In the 1980s, Air Mauritius expanded its operations to include long-haul flights to destinations in the Middle East and Asia, as well as trans-Atlantic routes to the United States and Canada. During this period, the fleet was upgraded to a mix of Airbus A340s and Boeing 747s.
In the early 2000s, Air Mauritius further extended its route network to include flights to Australia, India, China, and South Africa. The airline also launched a low-cost subsidiary, Air Mauritius Express, and introduced a frequent-flyer program called Airpass.
In 2004, Air Mauritius became the first African airline to join the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline network. This gave the airline access to an expanded network of destinations, as well as better connectivity to the rest of the world.
Air Mauritius has had several important milestones throughout its history. One of the most significant was the launch of its A350-900 XWB in 2017. The aircraft, which is one of the newest and most advanced in the world, has enabled the airline to provide customers with a more comfortable and fuel-efficient journey.
In 2016, Air Mauritius became the first airline in the world to receive the prestigious 4-Star Skytrax rating, which recognizes airlines for outstanding service and performance. The same year, the airline also became the first African carrier to receive the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification.
Air Mauritius has also been involved in several incidents throughout its history. In 1993, an Air Mauritius A310 crashed into the sea after a hijacking attempt. In 2004, another Air Mauritius aircraft was hijacked and the hijacker was arrested. In 2010, the airline was subject to an investigation by the Mauritian Competition Commission for alleged anti-competitive practices.
Today, Air Mauritius is one of the most successful airlines in the world, with a fleet of over 25 aircraft servicing more than 40 destinations in Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The airline continues to strive to provide its customers with a safe, efficient, and enjoyable travel experience.
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