Page 67 - World Airnews Magazine May 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

AIR MAURITIUS PLACED INTO

ADMINISTRATION

By Tom Boon

Thornton have been appointed as the • 2x Airbus A319;
airline’s administrators. • 4x Airbus A330;
The current crisis in the aviation The administration proceedings have • 2x Airbus A340;
industry seems to have suddenly caught up come as a direct result of the current • 2x Airbus A350s.
situation being faced by the aviation
with several airlines. As of today, Mauritian industry as a whole. In its letter, the airline Also, South African Airways has leased
airline Air Mauritius has been placed into stated that its entire revenue base had two Airbus A350s from Air Mauritius. These
administration. The airline’s board came to been eroded. The erosion has been caused aircraft are quite new, with both under half
a decision following “a complete erosion of by a decrease in demand tied to many a year old. However, South African Airways’
the company’s revenue base.” different travel bans enacted by separate future also currently doesn’t look bright.
Air Mauritius has become the second national governments. The airline believes Two of the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft are
airline to enter administration proceedings that demand will not begin to return until relatively new A330neos with an average
in as many days voluntarily. Yesterday the end of 2020. age of 1 year each. In total, the airline’s
Australian carrier Virgin Australia also average fleet age is 11.3 years.
entered voluntary administration caused WHO IS AIR MAURITIUS?
by the current crisis. It looks as though Air Mauritius was formed in 1967 as a AIR MAURITIUS IS NOT ALONE
other airlines could also suffer similar fates joint venture between Air France, BOAC Air Mauritius is not alone in entering
before the crisis is over.
(the British Airways predecessor), and administration proceedings. Just yesterday,
the Mauritian government. However, the Virgin Australia also entered voluntary
ENTERING VOLUNTARY African airline didn’t begin to operate administration. Virgin was also tipped over
ADMINISTRATION services until half a decade later in 1972. the edge by the current pandemic-induced
According to the letter issued by the Air A year later, the airline started services to crisis.
Mauritius board of directors, the African London via Nairobi with a Vickers VC10. Meanwhile, the future isn’t looking too
airline has been placed into voluntary This was upgraded two years later to a rosy for South African Airways, who lease
administration. This action has been Boeing 707. two of Air Mauritius’ Airbus A350s. The
taken to safeguard the airline, given the airline has now been cut off from govern-
current situation. According to the letter, According to data from Planespotters, the ment support. Additionally, last weekend
Mr. A. Sattar Hajee Abdoula, FCA, and Mr. airline’s current fleet consists of 13 aircraft: we reported that it would lay off all of its
Arvindsingh K. Gokhool, FCCA of Grant • 3x ATRs; staff by the end of March. Q

World Airnews | May Extra 2020
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