Air Mauritius (MK, Mauritius) has selected the A350-900 to replace its ageing fleet of six A340-300s used on longhaul flights to Europe and Asia. Announced during the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow 2014, the Mauritian national carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) for four A350-900s with plans to lease an additional two of the type.

"The first two A350-900 planes will be delivered in 2017 through operating leases from AerCap Holdings and the remaining four will be purchased from Airbus, with two aircraft to be delivered in 2019 and the remaining two in 2020. Air Mauritius has also reserved its right to exercise an option to place additional orders of up to three A350 between 2023 and 2025 on the same terms and conditions that led to the selection of the first four aircraft with Airbus," the airline said.

Air Mauritius, which also operates two A330-200s, will use the new widebodies to open up routes to Australia.