;

Singapore and Mauritius will elevate and celebrate the air corridor signed between both nations last year, with a sports and donations day.

In a media release from the Mauritius government, it is noted the aim of the events will be to promote the air corridor.

The release reads as follows:

In the context of the National Day Celebrations, a friendly football match between the Under 21 National Football Team of Singapore, and the Under 21 National Football Team of Mauritius would be held on 11 March 2017 at George V Stadium.

Entrance would be free.

The main objectives of the match are to prepare the Mauritius national team for the Indian Ocean Islands Games and promote the Singapore – Mauritius Air corridor via the football platform.

Various activities would also be organised in the context of the football match, including a mega blood donation, and sensitisation on the Clean Up Mauritius and Embellishment Campaign.

The air corridor was signed between Singapore and Mauritius as part of a plan by the Mauritians to penetrate the Asian market and to allow Singapore Airlines to fly to Mauritius and possibly other parts of Africa.

See also  Singaporeans to decide title for 'Untitled' song, ahead of Singapore's bicentennial celebrations

Mauritius will become a gateway to Asia through Singapore for the islands of the Indian Ocean and countries of eastern and southern Africa.

It is a result of the agreement signed on 14 October 2015 between Mauritius and Singapore Changi Airport.

The corridor involves an agreement between Changi Airport, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport in Mauritius and Air Mauritius.

Prior to the negotiations between Mauritius and Singapore, there were talks early last year for Air Asia to commence its low-cost flights to Mauritius.

Air Asia has since then pulled out, leaving behind a massive sign of discontent among Mauritian travellers who had hopes of flying to Asia via the Malaysian airliner.

Flights to Mauritius are already listed on the Singapore Airlines website, but no flights are available yet.

Bywftv