Mauritius International Airport (SSR) night-flight shutdown starts in May

In the coming weeks the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport will not be operational during the night as important coating works will be carried out on the runway.

Mr Girish Appayah, Communication Officer at Airports of Mauritius Co. Ltd (AML) told NEWSNOW that by latest mid-May the airport will be closed every night from 23:00 to 07:00 for 15 months.

“We have been working on this project for two years. All airline companies using the SSR International Airport have been informed of this major infrastructural development,” he said. “These companies have rescheduled their flights to and from Mauritius.”

The major change in operating times will not have a big impact on the functioning of the airport. “Even now there are just a few flights during the night,” he said.

“There will be a few disturbances, but all airline companies and other stakeholders have been informed about the situation through various meetings and consultations. We have taken the necessary measures to minimise the impact,” he said. 

AML, which operates and manages the national airport, has embarked on several development projects aimed at increasing its operating capacity and enhancing services.

Some projects have already been completed, such as the setting up of a Premium Class lounge at arrivals, the rearrangement and addition of immigration facilities both at arrivals and departures, a wastewater treatment plant with capacity to process four times more effluent, and a new road network and better parking facilities.

The forthcoming second phase extension of the passenger terminal will make the SSR International Airport a regional hub for airport users, be they passengers or freight forwarders. Some 2,588,265 passengers – 102,613 Mauritians and 2,485,652 foreigners – used the SSR International Airport in 2010 against 2,381,810 in 2009.

Mr Donald Payen, Executive Vice President, Commercial and Communications at Air Mauritius, told NEWSNOW that all the modifications relating to rescheduling of flights and other technical aspects have already been done.

“We have worked closely with the airport authorities to minimise the impact. We have adapted our operations according to the change. There will be no disturbances. Air Mauritius is ready for this temporary change,” he assured.

By Clifford Vellien