French bee Targets Mauritius in a Major ‘Open Skies’ Move

French bee is reportedly making an aggressive bid for flight slots to Mauritius, according to the travel magazine Tourmag. This move comes as the Mauritian government, led by Tourism Minister Richard Duval, officially signals a push to liberalise the nation’s airspace, aiming to attract new airlines and boost the vital tourism sector.

The potential entry of French bee could significantly shake up the local aviation landscape, which is already characterised by strong competition.

Tourism accounts for roughly 10% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), highlighting the economic importance of supporting the sector through increased air links.

Minister Confirms Commitment to Air Diversification

Speaking at the IFTM Top Resa trade show in Paris, Minister Duval underscored the solid relationship between Mauritius and France.

Crucially, he stressed the urgent necessity of diversifying air connections to sustain the tourism industry’s growth.

Mixed Tourist Season Reported

The Minister also offered a nuanced view of the recent tourist year, describing it as having “two faces.”

He noted a challenging southern high season (December to March) but contrasted this with an exceptionally dynamic European low season, which he went on to describe as a “record.”

With this announced “open skies” policy, Mauritius is intending to solidify its position as a flagship destination in the Indian Ocean and appeal to more travellers, particularly those from Europe.

Source: Defi Media