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BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
22 July, 2005: Air Mauritius has entered into a purchase agreement with Airbus Industrie for acquisition of three A340-300Es, with deliveries slated to begin in the last quarter of next year. The carrier also has an option to acquire two more aircraft under the contract.
The acquisition of this aircraft would make Air Mauritius the first all-Airbus operator in the South
Indian Ocean region, as the carrier currently operates a fleet of five A340-300s and two A319s. The aircraft are being operated both for its long- and medium-haul routes.
Seating 300 passengers in a two-class configuration, Air Mauritius’ A340-300Es would offer 36 premium class seats in a six abreast configuration. The economy class would have 264 seats, allowing the airline to develop the tourism in this part of the world.
The A340-300E is an enhanced version of the A340-300 and incorporates the latest technologies developed for the most recent Airbus long-range programmes. It has the latest flight deck equipment, an increased passengers’ comfort and enhanced engines and would
also allow Air Mauritius to save substantially on operational costs.
Four CFM International CFM56-5C4/P engines, enabling lower fuel burn and emissions, power the aircraft. With its four-engine operational capability, the A340 ensures ETOPS free operations in the particularly demanding routes over extremely long stretches of ocean to India, Asia and Australia.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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