Africa-Press – Mauritius. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam responded in Parliament to questions from the Leader of the Opposition regarding the private Trans Ocean Airways flight from Madagascar that was authorized to land in Mauritius on October 12. He clarified that this was not a chartered flight but an unscheduled private flight, and reminded the House that a report from the Cabinet Secretary had already been tabled in the National Assembly on October 28.
A police investigation was launched immediately after the report’s release to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the jet’s landing. According to the Prime Minister, police have already interviewed 37 individuals from various institutions, including Jet Prime Ltd, the Department of Civil Aviation, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (Customs), the Passport and Immigration Office, the Police Force, Airports of Mauritius Co Ltd, and members of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Fifty-two statements have been recorded under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime). Dr. Ramgoolam added that the investigation is now at a critical stage and that it would be inappropriate to disclose the identities of those interviewed. Without prejudging the outcome, he emphasized that this appears to be a premeditated operation involving multiple private and institutional actors.
Separately, the Prime Minister noted that the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) investigation has uncovered suspicions of undue influence and breaches of confidentiality. To date, 25 witnesses and suspects have been questioned, and four individuals have been arrested and provisionally charged: Malagasy businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, as well as David Jean Christian Thomas, Nasser Bheeky, and Junaid Fakim.
The FCC is collaborating with authorities in Madagascar, the United States, and France, where related investigations are also underway.
In response to the second part of the question, Dr. Ramgoolam provided background on the creation of Jet Prime Ltd. He explained that the company succeeded YU Lounge, formerly led by Nirvan Veerasamy and registered in August 2004 as Business Jet Services Ltd. Its core activity originally involved establishing an aircraft maintenance organization.
In July 2021, the then-government redefined Mauritius’s official points of entry, excluding YU Lounge from the list—a decision the Prime Minister said “destroyed the company’s economic value,” resulting in significant losses. In April 2022, YU Lounge was acquired by Airports Holding Ltd (AHL) and renamed Jet Prime Ltd on May 18, 2022, while continuing its operations.
The Prime Minister also recalled that the current Chief Executive Officer, Dewananda Chellen, was appointed in June 2024 by the previous government for a three-year term—despite having had his prior contract as Deputy CEO of Airports of Mauritius Ltd terminated for breach of trust.
On September 4, 2025, Jet Prime Ltd’s shareholders decided to temporarily fill vacant board positions on an unpaid basis while preparing for a full corporate restructuring.
Dr. Ramgoolam explained that this interim board was intended to operate for approximately two months—sufficient time to restructure Airports Holding Ltd (AHL) and address pending matters left unresolved due to the absence of a functioning board.
The provisional board comprised Appalsamy Thomas (Chairperson), Dheerendra Kumar Dabee, Mrs. Kantabye Babajee, Gérard Gilbert Noël, and Keshave Reetoo. The Prime Minister added that Mr. Noël submitted his resignation on October 24, 2025.
On October 17, the Cabinet also decided to review procedures governing private jet operations, as managed by the Department of Civil Aviation, due to operational challenges encountered. Jet Prime Ltd’s activities will also undergo a thorough evaluation, to be carried out at the level of its parent company, Airports Holding Ltd.
The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming that there will be no “cover-up”—neither in this case nor in any other investigation—since his government assumed office.
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