I just travelled between Mauritius and Rodrigues. I don’t know how people feel about it. But I was nauseated to have had to do with sort of dry ration (bread, butter and cheese) at dinner time for the first time in my life. It’s only on rare occasions and for breakfast only that I consume bread-butter-cheese. I had an immediate thought for those whom such treat might not be healthy, especially if they are NCD patients.
Although I wouldn’t have expected a royal service for the so-called subsidised ticket, the minimum one can expect at lunch and dinner times is a consistent balanced meal considering the commuting time. It seems they are cutting down on meals on such trips. The quality and amount are on the descending curve. Gone are the days when you would have a meal worthy of the name and when the ticket was much less expensive. Today you pay more for cheaper service.
I had a first disappointment on my arrival at SSR airport when I had to wait for my luggage like a fool. I got part of them on the belt which stopped after a moment. After a little more than a quarter of an hour of waiting I enquired only to be told that I’d have to collect the rest at another delivery bay. There was no official communication to that effect. It’s really frustrating to have to wait unnecessarily after a tiresome trip.
Otherwise life on board was cool. There’s nothing to complain about the aircrew who did their job great. I guess the problem is not at staff level. It’s the system that needs overhaul.
To conclude I would, like many other travellers, hope that Air Mauritius and the authorities review: (i) the whole system of meal on board with regard to dietary considerations and time of travel, and (ii) the communication system to properly advise and direct passengers at the terminal.
“Ce n’est pas la mer a boire” in view of the high profitability of the air travel system.
Alfa King Memories
Mauritian residing in Rodrigues, Amanoola Khayrattee (pen name Alfa King) is contributing writer and journalist to La Gazette Mag de l’océan indien and This Week News Mauritius.
Retired, former meteorological cadre, trade unionist and OSH consultant, Amanoola has written for in-house union and other journals, publications and magazines. He runs two blogs since 2007: “Alfa King Memories”, and “Le Journal d’Alfa King”. When he is not reading or writing, he is on a 10+ km daily hike in anticipation of his monthly trails.
Amanoola may be reached at [email protected].