South African Airways said in a release that as of 1 July 2015 both airlines will sell freely on one another’s networks with increased availability on its code-shared trunk route between Johannesburg and Mauritius.
South African Airways this year also celebrates half a century of operations between the two countries.
“The broadening of our relationship with Air Mauritius follows growing traffic between our two countries not only as a consequence of tourism, but is also concomitant to growing trade between the markets,” said South African Airways Acting CEO Nico Bezuidenhout.
Connectivity between South African Airways continental routes as regional feeders for traffic in and outbound from Mauritius is also enhanced.
“Cross network sales will improve access to markets in a further move to support trade and tourism,” adds Bezuidenhout. Late last year South African Airways added an additional frequency to Mauritius as demand continues its upward trend.
South African Airways said it would be actively marketing Mauritius as a leisure destination in other African markets.
“Demand indicators have shown a growing number of passenger volumes connecting through Johannesburg, originating on the continent. By offering increased ease of connectivity onto the trunk codeshare route operated by South African Airways and Air Mauritius we expect sustained growth in traffic,” said Bezuidenhout.
Mauritius has remained an important destination for South African Airways throughout its history and remains one of the fastest growing economies on the continent with consistent demand-side growth in both business and leisure travel.