'Air Mauritius looking for strategic partner'

Le Morne, Mauritius (PANA) – Mauritian Prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, on Friday said the country's national carrier, Air Mauritius, was looking for a strategic partner to improve its performance.

Speaking to the media after his visit to Le Morne, in south-west of the island, Mr Ramgoolam said he discussed the issue with French president François Hollande during his visit to Paris last week.

He also spoke to the chairman of Air France, in view of a strategic alliance between Air Mauritius and Air France.

“We need equity and new airplanes, but the French authorities told us that they can’t give them to us for the time being, but would do that later. We can’t wait,” he said.

Air Mauritius, over the past few years, has been going through serious financial difficulties as it posts losses every year.
-0- PANA NA/TBM/SOC/MSA/MA 1Feb2013