Our Review of Mauritius Airport (MRU)

Table of contents: Our Review of Mauritius Airport (MRU) Pros and Cons of Mauritius Airport (MRU) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Mauritius Airport (MRU)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, with over two decades of experience since 1999.

A summary Google Reviews

The airport has an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 8,300 reviews.

Positive aspects:

Modern and clean facilities
Efficient check-in and security processes
Friendly and helpful staff
Good selection of duty-free shops and restaurants
Free Wi-Fi available

Negative aspects:

Long queues at immigration during peak hours
Limited seating in some areas
Occasional issues with air conditioning
Some travelers find food and beverage prices expensive

To avoid long queues at immigration, try to arrive during off-peak hours or consider using fast-track services if available.

Many reviewers appreciate the airport’s recent renovations, which have improved the overall passenger experience. The new terminal, opened in 2013, has significantly enhanced the airport’s capacity and amenities.

Travelers often comment on the airport’s unique architecture, which incorporates elements of Mauritian culture and natural beauty. The ravenala (traveler’s palm) inspired design is frequently mentioned as a distinctive and attractive feature.

If you have time before your flight, explore the cultural exhibits and local artwork displayed throughout the terminal. These offer interesting insights into Mauritian heritage and can make your wait more enjoyable.

Overall, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is generally well-regarded by travelers as a modern and efficient gateway to Mauritius, with room for improvement in managing peak-time congestion.

Pros and Cons of Mauritius Airport (MRU)

Here’s a list of 5 Pros and 5 Cons of Mauritius Airport (SSR):

Pros:

Modern Infrastructure & Design: The terminal boasts a modern, clean, and well-organized layout with a design inspired by the Ravenala plant, offering a pleasant and visually appealing environment. The official website emphasizes continuous improvements and upgrades.
Good Range of Services & Amenities: The airport provides a good selection of duty-free shops, restaurants, and essential services such as currency exchange, ATMs, and medical aid.
Efficient Check-in & Security (Generally): Many reviews highlight efficient check-in and security processes, especially during off-peak hours.
Free Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available for passengers, allowing them to stay connected (although connectivity issues have been reported).
Helpful Staff (Generally): Many reviewers have reported friendly and helpful staff.

Cons:

Long Immigration Queues During Peak Hours: This is the most consistently cited issue. Queues at immigration and passport control can be very long, especially when multiple flights arrive simultaneously, often attributed to insufficient staff.
Connectivity: Airport isn’t well connected to other parts of the island, making taxis or hotel transfers almost essential.
Food and Beverage Prices: Some travelers consider the prices of food and beverages within the airport to be relatively expensive.
Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues: Although Wi-Fi is available, some users have reported poor or unreliable connectivity.
Limited Seating: Limited seating in certain areas of the airport can be a problem during busy periods.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Location and Transportation

Located in Plaine Magnien, 48 km southeast of Port Louis

Transportation options:

Taxis: Approximately 900 MUR to Port Louis
Buses: Lines 9, 10, and 198 to various destinations
Car Rental: Available in the tour operator’s hall

Facilities

Single terminal with a modern design inspired by the Ravenala plant
Free Wi-Fi for 3 hours (network: "3Hours@MauritiusAirport")
ATMs and currency exchange services
Duty-free shops and a variety of restaurants

Special Services

VIP Lounges: ATOL Lounge and Air Mauritius Premium Lounge (€40 for 3 hours)
Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility
Luggage wrapping services

Tips

Arrive early during peak hours to avoid long immigration lines
Consider booking a transfer service if your hotel is in a remote area
Explore the cultural exhibits and local art in the terminal

Main Airlines

Air Mauritius (national airline)
Air France, British Airways, Emirates Airways, Singapore Airlines

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation