Air Mauritius Slides to 85th in Global Airline Rankings

Air Mauritius has suffered a significant drop in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, falling from 78th place last year to 85th place this year. This decline is a worrying sign for the national carrier, which had been steadily losing ground in recent years.

The airline’s ranking has been on a downward trend since 2014, when it was still in the top 60. By 2019, it had slipped to 61st place, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the decline, pushing it to 78th place in 2023.

Despite a slight recovery last year, technical issues and passenger complaints have led to another significant drop in 2024.

The Skytrax Awards are a highly respected benchmark in the aviation industry, with over 20 million passengers from over 100 countries participating in the survey.

The evaluation criteria included factors such as ease of booking, check-in time, baggage delivery, in-flight service quality, seat comfort, meal options, entertainment programs, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Qatar Airways took the top spot as the world’s best airline for the eighth time in 13 years, while Singapore Airlines came second.

Emirates, ANA All Nippon Airways, and Cathay Pacific Airways completed the top five.

In Africa, Air Mauritius ranked sixth behind Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, South African Airways, Kenya Airways, and RwandAir.

While Air Mauritius did manage to win the award for Best Business Class Catering in Africa, this achievement provides little comfort given its overall decline.

To regain its footing and restore passenger confidence, the airline must overcome its technical issues and improve its services.

Investment in a modern fleet, ongoing staff training, and infrastructure upgrades could be crucial steps towards improving the airline’s competitiveness.

Moreover, a renewed commitment to passenger satisfaction, with a focus on listening to feedback and addressing criticisms, may help rebuild the airline’s reputation.

Air France remained the best European airline this year, despite slipping two places to ninth overall. Swiss International Air Lines also made it into the top 10 globally.

The slide of Air Mauritius in the Skytrax rankings serves as a warning signal for the airline. To regain its position among the world’s top airlines, it must address its technical issues and prioritize passenger satisfaction.

Source: Le Mauricien