As of October 28, 2012, Air Mauritius plans to close its route to Durban. The impact on traveller numbers out of South Africa is expected to be minimal, with the addition of a second daily flight from Johannesburg, which will provide supplementary capacity during peak holiday season.
Says Carla da Silva, Air Mauritius regional manager Southern Africa and Latin America, “We have provided all of our venerated stakeholders with advanced warning, and plans are already in motion to accommodate forward bookings. These are to be re-booked onto an alternative Air Mauritius flight to the passengers' final destinations at no extra cost, provided the itinerary was issued on a single ticket.”
The airline will provide full refunds without penalty for cancellations. Furthermore, travellers missing their onward connection, to or from Mauritius, will be offered up-to two nights' complimentary accommodation.
Route changes for 2012:
The new economic environment of the airline industry is the basis for the current restructuring of Air Mauritius, which called for a review of the company's business model.
This after the recent reported losses for the quarter ending December 31, 2011 of €2.8-million, compared to a profit of €12.6-million the year prior.
Planned route withdrawals, including Durban, is part of an ambitious, but realistic cost-saving plan, that is also set to deliver a boost to revenues.
“Having reviewed Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, it makes more economic sense to focus on the commercial powerhouse of South Africa, being Gauteng, for future growth prospects,” expounds da Silva.