Airport of Plain Coral

The airport Sir Gaëtan Duval , located at Plaine Coral, in the south-eastern area of the island Rodrigues, is the only airport structure of the island. Inaugurated in 1972, the small track of landing could accommodate that small conveyers like ATR-42-500 of the company “Air Mauritius”.

During years, the tourist development in the island taken its rise, and the growing number of arrived encouraged the authorities to proceed to the enlarging of the track and the construction of a new whole of buildings including/understanding air terminal, control tower and fire pump. The tarmac can now accommodate two apparatuses of the type ATR-72-500. The new track makes 1286 meters against 950 meters before.

Work of enlarging proceeded in two phases. The first phase of work with Plain-Coral related to the enlarging of the landing strip and the installation of equipment of assistance to the aerial navigation. The company Airports off Rodrigues (Airports of Rodrigues) contracted loans with height of Rs 100 million, refundable over fifteen years, near the Pension funds of Maurice to finance this work. The second phase of work, in particular the construction of a new terminal for passengers with facilities net of tax and other facilities airport were delivered in 2003.

The new unit entered in service in October 2003 and saw landing the first flight coming from the Réunion (airport of Pierrefonds) the December 26th 2003. This direct flight was possible thanks to the startup of the ATR-72-500, the Port Mathurin . Air Mauritius announced the closing of the line Rodrigues-Meeting starting from the April 10th 2006 considering that the flights being with half vacuums. The air traffic is limited to daily service roads between Rodrigues and the Mauritius. Two airline companies ensure the connection between the two islands, Air Mauritius and Catovair.

The October 4th 2007 the central government announced that the airport of Plain Coral would be henceforth known like the airport Sir Gaëtan Duval, in homage to this last, which had largely to contribute to the development of the island.

Catovair

The company is a subsidiary company of Ireland Blyth Ltd. It operates with two Beechcraft 1900 D which can transport 14 passengers. One of the two apparatuses operates the Rodrigues-Maurice connection whereas second is based with Madagascar for internal flights on the large island. The inaugural flight on Rodrigues took place on September 1st 2005.

Air Mauritius

The national company of the Republic of Maurice was the pionnière of aviation with Rodrigues. The first flights were ensured by Twin Otter and thereafter by ATR-42-500. The new landing strip which cannot accommodate the Airbus A319, the company chose the version improved of ATR, which can transport 72 passengers.

The Rodrigues Duty Free Paradise Ltd is an autonomous organization which manages the shop out-tax of Plain Coral. The passengers can supply themselves there out of whiskey, wine, confectioneries, cigarettes and perfumes.

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