Built and ultimately to be managed on behalf of the Mauritian Government by Aeroports de Paris in collaboration with China State Construction Engineering Corporation, the new Terminal 2 at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaisance, Mauritius is slated to be operational by early 2013. The new terminal is designed by ADPi, Architects and Engineers and Alain Davy,
Architect. Built at a cost of MUR11billion (USD260million), 85 per cent of project is to be financed by a loan from the EXIM Bank of China to the Mauritius Port Authority at a concessionary rate of 2%
for a period of 15 years.
The airport infrastructure integrates an environmental and ecological
dimension which is in line with the "Maurice Île Durable" concept, with
its architecture in glass and steel, the use of solar energy collected
by photovoltaic cells, rainwater recovery and green space within the
building. The new terminal comprises, amongst others, 52 check-in desks,
five boarding gates of which one is A380 compatible, 26 immigration
counters, five telescopic passenger boarding bridges, five baggage claim carousels, a new aircraft parking area and a land-side car park located
in front of the building.
New Terminal Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius
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| Airport Schematic © Aéroports de Paris |
At the same time it was also confirmed that the international airport at Plaisance is now expected to be ready by early 2013 according to information sent to the media by the Airports of Mauritius Company last Friday (27 April 2012).
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| © Aéroports de Paris |
Read More Here [Aeroports de Paris]
The new terminal is connected to the existing one which will be closed for refurbishment. Upon completion it will be integrated to the new Passenger Terminal and consequently, the airport will have eight passenger boarding bridges. Specific zones within the airport have been identified for cargo and Freeport activities as well as for the development of other commercial opportunities such as an integrated airport city.
The new terminal is connected to the existing one which will be closed for refurbishment. Upon completion it will be integrated to the new Passenger Terminal and consequently, the airport will have eight passenger boarding bridges. Specific zones within the airport have been identified for cargo and Freeport activities as well as for the development of other commercial opportunities such as an integrated airport city.
Construction
[UPDATE 18 JANUARY] According to The Indian Ocean Times, the new Terminal will be operational by the end of April 2013. Emirates' one off A380 flight on 12 March will serve as the terminal's unofficial opening ceremony.
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| The new Terminal 2 at SSR International (Le Mauricien) |
[UPDATE 03 JULY] Recent reports out Mauritius state SSR International Airport's new Terminal will now be opened in August as further tests and dry-runs are required to ensure the facility is fully operational once commissioned. If all goes according to plan, the new terminal will accommodate up to 4.5 million passengers per annum with 52 check-in counters and a section for passengers who are Rodrigues Island-bound.
[UPDATE 01 SEPTEMBER]
The Mauritian Prime Minister, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, on August 30, officially inaugurated the new passenger terminal at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. (It should be noted that the terminal will only become fully operational on September 11/12, 2013.)
The Mauritian Prime Minister, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, on August 30, officially inaugurated the new passenger terminal at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. (It should be noted that the terminal will only become fully operational on September 11/12, 2013.)
In his address the Prime Minister said that the construction of the new terminal is one among the major projects initiated by the Government. He described the new airport terminal as "an architectural gem which will help project Mauritius on the international scene and boost commercial exchanges and the tourism industry."
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He pointed out that the project to build the new terminal has been materialised due to the strong friendly bond that Mauritius has developed with France and the People’s Republic of China. He expressed his satisfaction with the increasing number of private jets landing in Mauritius, which he said is a promising sector.
The Prime Minister recalled that a total of MUR1billion has been invested to extend the runway so as to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A380. It is expected that from May 2014, Thomson Airways Boeing 787s will also begin service to Mauritius on a regular basis.
In his speech, Dr Ramgoolam also gave a brief overview of the development of the airport which dates back to the colonial era and the launch of the national carrier, Air Mauritius Ltd. From 15,000 passengers handled in 1968, the figure reached 1million in 1993 and jumped to 2.7 million in 2012. According to forecasts the number of passengers expected to reach 4 million/annum in the near future.