As per the Air Mauritius web site this afternoon.........
Air Mauritius (MK) has announced its intention to acquire three new A340-300E (Enhanced) Airbus aircraft for a total value of USD 540M at current list prices, on conditions to be finalised and agreed upon between MK and Airbus. The announcement was made following the meeting of the board of directors on May 3, 2005.
The first two aircraft will be delivered end of October 2006 while the third one in October 2007, as initially scheduled. The national carrier reserves the right to choose a fourth aircraft in October 2009 and eventually a fifth one. The decision enables Air Mauritius to consider all options open while waiting for the commercialisation of the new generation aircraft currently under development by the two manufacturers.
The choice of the A340-300E was justified by technical, technological, operational, financial and commercial considerations allowing considerable economies of scale. With these new acquisitions, MK privileges the commonality benefits by optimising its existing Airbus infrastructure. It has already in its midst trained teams, spare parts and replacement engines as well as the tools necessary for the operation of the fleet already made up of five A340-300 aircraft.
The exercise of evaluation and selection was performed entirely by an in-house team for the first time. During the whole process the board of directors and the government were kept informed at all stages, because of the impact on the national economy. Following this decision and in accordance with the preliminary conditions, the selected supplier must now engage in an off-set program with the government of Mauritius.
This acquisition will allow MK to offer a brand new product, thus meeting the expectations of passengers. These new aircraft, with two class configuration, will be equipped with state-of-the-art seats and in-flight entertainment systems. This upgrading will also be extended to the existing models of the fleet.
The exercise takes account of the new strategic orientations of Air Mauritius which has, on one hand, rationalised its European routes and, in addition, redeployed its fleet for a more efficient operation.
Air Mauritius undertook a more ambitious task by carrying out long term projections in order to reconcile its needs with the market prospects. Indeed, not only the new technologies proposed today by the manufacturers were taken into account, but special consideration was given to the models currently being developed by the manufacturers. Thus the fleet renewal program was re-scheduled, keeping options open for a possible planned migration towards new technologies in the long term.
The national carrier of Mauritius contributes approximately up to 60% of tourist arrivals on the island. Air Mauritius customers consist of nearly 80% of foreign travelers, of which a majority of Europeans. With the inclusion of the three A340-300 Enhanced aircraft, Air Mauritius will increase its seat capacity on long haul by 30% while the cargo capacity will increase by 40%. With the rapid expansion of the hotel park and the growth recorded on its markets, Air Mauritius prepares itself to provide more capacity and to contribute even more actively to the economic development of the tourism value chain which depends to a large extent on Air Mauritius.