Africa-Press – Mauritius. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam told Parliament that Paul Bérenger, who was acting as interim Prime Minister on Sunday, October 12, “should have been informed” about the controversial landing of the Malagasy jet Cessna 560 XL-5H-HRM. Responding to a supplementary question from opposition MP Joe Lesjongard, Ramgoolam explained that, despite the controversy, all civil aviation procedures had been followed before granting the aircraft permission to land. However, he admitted that certain checks “were not carried out as they should have been.” He pledged to return to Parliament soon to provide further clarification and deposited a detailed report in the National Assembly for consultation by the opposition leader.
The Prime Minister shared specific information about the jet and its passengers. The aircraft landed at 12:44 a.m. carrying five passengers and two crew members, whose names were disclosed. According to Ramgoolam, officials identified nine secured suitcases, along with two handbags for passengers and two more for the crew. The passengers reportedly held a total of 10,000 euros in their possession.
During the inspection of the plane, authorities found nothing incriminating. Ramgoolam noted that a bag containing a “car sunroof accessory” was discovered during the search but was left onboard at the request of its owner, businessman Mamy Ravatomanga. The Prime Minister further revealed that the stated reason for the private jet’s landing had changed within hours—from a “medical evacuation” to “tourism,” and finally to a claim of “fuel shortage.”
Ramgoolam assured Parliament that an international investigation was underway and that the FBI had already requested information, particularly given its interest in the alleged transfer of Boeing 777 aircraft to Iran through Madagascar. This link has drawn attention because Iranian airline Mahan Air, under U.S. sanctions, reportedly obtained five Boeing 777s using temporarily issued registration certificates from Madagascar.
The Prime Minister reminded the House that Madagascar’s Civil Aviation Authority later denounced the certificates as fraudulent, citing unauthorized alterations and illegal extensions of validity. He confirmed that the FBI had offered assistance in probing both the jet landing and the wider Boeing 777 affair. Ramgoolam’s statements came in response to Joe Lesjongard’s Private Notice Question during Tuesday’s parliamentary session on October 28.
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