Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is the sole international airport of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean located approximately 2,000 kilometers off the southeast coast of Africa. Named after the first prime minister of Mauritius, the airport is situated in Plaine Magnien in the southeastern part of the island, about 48 kilometers from the capital Port Louis. MRU opened in 1943 as a Royal Air Force base during World War II and was converted to civilian use after independence. The airport handles over 4 million passengers annually from a modern terminal building that underwent a major expansion completed in 2013, featuring contemporary architecture with natural stone and wood elements inspired by the island's tropical environment. The new terminal increased capacity to 4.5 million passengers per year. Air Mauritius, the national carrier, uses MRU as its hub and operates flights to destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australasia. The airport also receives numerous charter and seasonal flights from European carriers bringing tourists to the island's world-renowned beach resorts and luxury hotels. The airport operates a single runway. Ground transportation is primarily by taxi, rental car, and hotel shuttle services. Mauritius is a major luxury tourism destination, and the airport serves as the critical point of entry for the island's hospitality industry, which is a primary driver of the national economy alongside financial services and textile manufacturing.