PORT LOUIS– Air Mauritius (MK) is moving to renegotiate its 2023 order for three Airbus A350-900s, citing financial and operational reassessments. The carrier, which operates from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), currently maintains four A350s in its fleet but believes additional units may not suit its long-term strategy.
In an interview with local media, Air Mauritius chairperson Kishore Beegoo confirmed that talks with Airbus (AIR) are underway. While one A350-900 is already in final assembly for delivery, the airline is seeking flexibility to cancel or convert the remaining two aircraft into more suitable types.
Photo: File:Air Mauritius, 3B-NBP, Airbus A350-941 (40664925983).jpg – Wikimedia CommonsAir Mauritius A350 Order Deal
Air Mauritius presently operates a mixed fleet of 12 aircraft, averaging 12.4 years in age. This includes four Airbus A350-900s, two Airbus A330neos, two Airbus A330-200s, and four ATR 72 regional turboprops.
The airline relies heavily on its widebody aircraft for long-haul routes to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, while its ATRs serve regional connections.
Beegoo noted that the four A350-900s already in service are sufficient for long-haul operations, particularly on routes to Paris (CDG) and London (LHR). Given this, the board views the 2023 order for three additional A350s as an excessive commitment.
Each A350-900 carries an estimated value of MUR 10 billion ($216 million), making the financial stakes significant.
The airline’s management has opened discussions with Airbus to either cancel or reconfigure the two remaining aircraft on order.
Options under consideration include smaller long-haul aircraft with lower seating capacity or next-generation single-aisle jets that provide better flexibility and lower operating costs, Defi Media reported.
Photo: By Bahnfrend – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68929740Financial Performance and Challenges
Air Mauritius has endured financial instability for more than a decade, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company entered administration in 2020 but restructured operations to survive.
Under new leadership since January 2025, the airline is aiming for a sustainable turnaround with a target to restore profitability by the 2026/2027 financial year.
Signs of progress have already emerged. In the first quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, Air Mauritius reported a net profit of MUR 252.7 million ($5.4 million), its strongest first-quarter result in nine years.
Passenger revenue rose from MUR 5.6 billion ($121 million) to MUR 6 billion ($130 million), with traffic increasing slightly to 403,127 passengers.
This recovery was achieved despite notable setbacks. One Airbus A330neo remained grounded for eight of the 13 weeks in Q1 due to technical issues, while the airline recorded 24 Aircraft on Ground (AOG) incidents.
These challenges drove up maintenance costs and caused schedule disruptions. At the same time, growing competition on several international routes continues to pressure yields.
Photo: By Sergey Kustov – http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Mauritius/Airbus-A330-202/2190964/L/, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23148284Network Outlook and Fleet Flexibility
The potential cancellation of A350s is not only a financial move but also a strategic one. Air Mauritius currently serves 13 destinations, including major cities in Europe, India, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia.
Management believes future success will depend on maintaining a versatile fleet that can balance long-haul demand with regional connectivity.
By diversifying its fleet with smaller or more efficient aircraft, Air Mauritius could better align capacity with market realities while reducing operating risks tied to high-capacity widebodies. The final fleet decision will likely hinge on the outcome of negotiations with Airbus and the airline’s assessment of its network priorities.
Bottom Line
Air Mauritius expects stability in six months, with reforms aimed at building a sustainable, efficient, and transparent airline.
The restructuring plan emphasizes technical rigor, modern governance, and accountability, positioning the airline to protect national interests while regaining passenger trust.
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