US$170 Million to Modernize the Airport

US$170 million will be invested to modernize Plaine Corail Airport on Rodrigues Island. The current 1.3 km runway will be replaced by a new 2.1 km runway, capable of accommodating larger aircraft and increasing the number of tourists visiting the island.

The project is being led by Airports of Mauritius (AML) with support from the World Bank. The objective is to make the airport safer and more modern, and to support the economic and tourism development of Rodrigues. An international call for tenders has been launched, with a submission deadline of April 8, 2026.

The construction will last approximately two and a half years and will include the new runway, taxiways, aircraft parking areas, air navigation equipment, an air traffic control center, and a fire station.

Originally, the French Development Agency (AFD) was slated to finance part of the project, but withdrew in 2022 for environmental reasons, as the runway encroached on a site of endemic flora. This project had been launched more than ten years ago, then shelved before being revived.

For Rodrigues, this is a significant milestone. Former Chief Commissioner Johnson Roussety stated that it was the largest construction project the island had ever seen. “With this modernization, the airport will be able to accommodate more visitors and contribute to the island’s economic and tourism development,” he declared.

This new runway and the modern infrastructure will also improve safety and air connectivity between Rodrigues and the rest of the Indian Ocean. The island is thus preparing to become a more accessible and attractive destination for travelers, while supporting its sustainable growth.