Mauritius' Cabinet has approved the dismantling of Air Mauritius' parent, state-owned Airport Holdings Ltd (AHL), and the creation of two separate operating entities: an aviation group led by the state-owned airline and an airport operations business led by Airports of Mauritius (AML), according to a decision taken at a Cabinet meeting on October 30, 2026.
Under the restructuring, Air Mauritius will play a more prominent role in Mauritius' aviation sector, heading a dedicated aviation group rather than operating as a subsidiary within a diversified holding company. Its remit would extend beyond scheduled airline operations to aviation support, training, ground-handling, and related activities.
The second group, led by Airports of Mauritius, will oversee airport infrastructure and operations, the management of Rodrigues Island, private jet terminal activities, and related services.
Rodrigues Airport, also known as Plaine Corail Airport, and its operator, will transfer under direct government ownership because of its strategic importance and the planned development of a new runway. Rodrigues Airport currently falls under AHL.
The cabinet statement made no announcement regarding the timetable for implementation, the legal form of the new groups, or which AHL subsidiaries will be allocated to each entity.
Established in 2021, AHL currently controls a group of aviation, hospitality, retail, and support subsidiaries:
- Commercial aviation: Air Mauritius, MRO provider Air Mauritius Technik, and Ground Handling Services (Mauritius);
- Airport-related: Airports of Mauritius, which owns and manages the international mainland airport; Airport Terminal Operations, responsible for the operations and maintenance of the passenger terminal; and Rodrigues Airport;
- Luxury aviation: Mauritius Helicopter and VIP service provider Jet Prime Ltd;
- Travel retail: Mauritius Duty Free Paradise and Rodrigues Duty Free Paradise;
- Hospitality: Pointe Coton Resort Hotel;
- Air Mauritius' call centre, Airmate Ltd.
