Air Mauritius To Finalize Fleet Renewal Plan By Year End

 In a press release issued on Monday, the Mauritian national carrier said the fleet renewal initiative is "crucial" because "it is directly related to the redesign of the business model of the company." Aircraft being considered include the A330, A350, B777 and B787. Air Mauritius' communications manager Fooad Nooraully said: "The bids submitted by the two aircraft manufacturers are all interesting and beneficial to Air Mauritius. But, both offer different financing options, not only on the purchase terms, but also amortization and maintenance,as well as in-service scheduling." He went on to add that Air Mauritius will also evaluate these options in light of the airline's fleet retirement programme. A final decision is expected before year end. Air Mauritius currently operates an exclusively Airbus jet fleet of two A319-100s, two A330-200s, six A340-300s and two ATR72-500 turboprops. Historically however, the airline has also operated a variety of Boeing metal including the B767-200(ER), the B747SP and the B707-300.