(Posted 02nd October 2023)
Rodrigues Island received official confirmation from the World Bank on Saturday morning,
September 30, 2023, regarding the financing of the Plaine Corail Airport runway extension project.
The World Bank has agreed to allocate $184 million to this significant project, with an additional $16
million provided by the European Union. The total cost of the project is $200 million.
This news was first announced by Chief Commissioner Johnson Roussety on his Facebook page,
underscoring the historic nature of this event for Rodrigues. Subsequently, the Chief Commissioner
held a press conference in the presence of some members of his government, including Deputy Chief
Commissioner Franceau Grandcourt, Commissioner of Sports Varock Ravina, Commissioner of Health
Nicolas Volbert, and Marie Christiane Agathe, Commissioner for Family Protection and Children's
Rights.
Successful negotiations between the government of Mauritius, represented by the Ministry of
Finance, the Regional Assembly of Rodrigues, and the World Bank, led to this significant funding
allocation. The Rodrigues Regional Government expressed gratitude to the central government of
Mauritius for its sustained efforts in realizing this project, promising to transform the economic
landscape of the island.
‘The airport’s new runway project will also include a complete transformation of the airport, featuring the construction of a new control tower, a meteorological building, a quarantine facility, and a new fire station, among other additions. These enhancements aim to modernize airport facilities and strengthen operational security. This is the largest project Rodrigues has ever undertaken‘ declared Johnson Roussety during the press conference.
For Commissioner of Tourism Jean Alain Wong So, this news represents a historic advancement for
the development of Rodrigues’ tourism sector. At the launch of the hiking festival at Mont-Limon on Saturday, September 30, he stated that: ‘Rodrigues will host more tourists in the coming years. Faced with the changes to come, we will do everything in our power to preserve the beauty of Rodrigues, its natural and authentic charm. We must not lose that, as it is the soul of our island‘.
Additionally, a $10 million allocation will be provided to the Rodrigues Tourism Commission to review
its operations and provide additional resources. The Tourism Office will also benefit from these funds
for the promotion of Rodrigues, including the conduct of an international branding consultation,
increased professionalism in the tourism sector, and the provision of tailored training for various
stakeholders in the industry.
Once operational, the new infrastructure will attract additional airlines, paving the way for new
opportunities for international connections from the Plaine Corail Airport. Already, several foreign
airlines have expressed interest in establishing flights to Rodrigues. Construction is expected to
commence in March 2024 and conclude around October 2026.
Currently, Air Mauritius and Air Austral are the main carriers serving the island. Air Mauritius offers
8 daily flights from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, while Air Austral operates one weekly
flight on Wednesdays from Reunion Island.
