Carriers add capacity after rise in demand

Carriers add capacity after rise in demand

Airlines see demand soar for services

Flights by Gareth Cosslett

Airlines are reporting strong demand for flights to Indian Ocean destinations.

Air Seychelles said the first quarter of this financial year, from April to July, has been a record period with passenger numbers up by 20% on last year. The airline claims its fleet has been running at 85%-plus capacity over the past six months. From next April it will increase its passenger capacity by 30% by upgrading from Boeing 767 200s to 767 300s.

Air Seychelles UK and Eire general manager Robin Dobson said the offers it introduced last year for honeymooners on Sunday flights have been popular.

“One partner gets a 25% discount and they get to use the executive lounge at Gatwick,” he said.

The airline is doubling the number of operators offering the honeymoon special. It is also introduced trials this year where passengers can fly out on Air Seychelles and back on Air Mauritius, or vice versa.

“The twin-island product is still very popular and represents about 10% of our market. We’ll be promoting the offer more this year,” said Dobson.

Air Mauritius regional manager for UK and Ireland, Chris Gilbert, echoed the positive feedback on flight demand.

From this November, the airline is upgrading its Manchester service from a 180-seat Boeing 767 to a 301-seat Airbus A340. The move means that all its aircraft, including the thrice-weekly departures from Heathrow, are A340s. There are also plans to add another weekly flight from Heathrow.

Gilbert added that BAA’s contract to refurbish Plaisance airport this year is seeing major improvements.

Infrastructure may still be basic in Madagascar, but it is also seeing increased demand. From November 1 this year, Air Madagascar is adding a fifth weekly Boeing 767 flight from Paris to Antananarivo. UK travellers will continue to connect from Heathrow through British Midland.

Sales development manager Carol Tumber said:”France has always been the main market and there are no plans to fly direct from London at the moment. But sales figures from the UK are up 30% on this time last year.”

Air Madagascar is particularly popular with operators as it offers discounts of 20%-30% on domestic flights for international customers.

Demand: Air Mauritius will add further flights to the destination

Rise: both Air Mauritius, top, and Air Madagascar are reporting a rise in demand

Mauritius hotels update

oberoi group opens its first resort in Mauritius this month. The property is based on the famous Oberoi Bali and the Oberoi Lombok hotels. Located on thenorthwest of the island near thecapital Port Louis, the property has 76 luxury villas andterrace pavilions which offer 70sq metres of space. Each villa has its own sub tropical garden and a raised open-air dining pavilion. Some villas also have their own pool within a secluded courtyard. Weddings can be held in the villas or in a private area of the hotel.

beachcomberis set to open its eighth resort on Mauritius. The Dinarobin will welcome its first guests next June. Located next to Beachcomber’s Paradis resort on Le Morne Peninsular, the property will have 160 suites. There will be three restaurants and a sports and health complex. Golfers will be able to use the Paradis’ 18-hole championship golf course.

hilton is due to open the Hilton Mauritius Resort on November 1 this year. The $40 million property will feature 193 rooms with balconies or terraces, all of which have an ocean view. Facilities include three restaurants: the Ginger Thai, the Melanzane serving Meditteranean food and Pomme D’Amour offering local and international food. There is also three meeting rooms, a fitness club and swimming pool, private wedding pavilion, and a helicopter launch pad. A sauna is being installed next year.

Oberoi: opening its first resort in Mauritius this year