Air Mauritius, the flag carrier airline of Mauritius, is launching a direct flight to China's business and industrial centre of Guangzhou on 12 July 2016.

This will be the airline's fifth direct route to the country, continuing its development of the Chinese market, which has recorded a growth rate of 77% since the start of operations to this market.

This new direct flight offered by Air Mauritius will additionally benefit passengers from the South West Indian Ocean region, as well as the South and East Africa region, to travel to Guangzhou, by using Mauritius as a hub.

Air Mauritius’ new operations within the Chinese market has played a major role in sustaining Chinese tourist arrivals in Mauritius.

Previously, Hong Kong was the only Chinese destination served by the national carrier. As the airline introduced news services to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu successively, the number of passengers carried increased.

With the launch of Guangzhou and one additional flight to Shanghai, to be introduced in July, Air Mauritius will operate a total of eight weekly flights to China, namely to Chengdu, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou.