Summary
- Air Mauritius’ CEO and CFO have been suspended pending internal investigations over governance concerns related to accepting an all-expenses-paid hotel stay from a supplier.
- An independent entity has been appointed to research the matter, and the CEO and CFO will remain suspended until the board reaches a choice.
- Air Mauritius has made temporary appointments to key positions while the investigation is ongoing.
The Chief Executive Officer of Air Mauritius (MK), who has held the position for about nine months, has been suspended by the corporate’s Board of Directors pending internal investigations over governance concerns. This was communicated in a letter to all airline staff on September 15.
Suspension from the airline
The Air Mauritius Board met last week after being notified of issues involving the airline’s CEO, Krešimir Kučko, and the CFO, Jean Laval Ah Chip. Based on local reports, the pair is suspected of getting accepted an all-expenses-paid stay in a hotel in France from one among the national carrier’s suppliers.
While the Board oversees the corporate’s activities, it also has the duties of setting organizational standards and making significant and strategic decisions. It has appointed an independent entity to research the matter, and Kučko and Laval Ah Chip will remain suspended, awaiting the board’s decision on reports and conclusions of the investigation.
Despite the scandals, Air Mauritius has celebrated a couple of operational highlights this yr. On the 2023 Paris Air Show, the airline confirmed an order for 3 additional Airbus A350-900s. Krešimir Kučko stated that the extra widebody capability will help the carrier strengthen its European network and catalyze growth in other markets. The aircraft shall be delivered between Q42025 and Q32026.
Earlier this yr, the airline resumed flights to and from Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) after a three-year suspension. It’s currently the one carrier operating scheduled passenger services between MRU and DEL. This was hailed as a big milestone in Mauritius and India’s bilateral relationship. Krešimir Kučko stated that each national carriers would explore avenues to expand services via Delhi and other Indian destinations.
Mauritius connection updates
Air Mauritius is preparing for a big change to its UK service. From October 29, the carrier will move all flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Gatwick Airport (LGW). The airline operates five weekly MRU-LHR flights, and the move to LGW will allow it to supply a every day service to London. Air Mauritius owned three slots at Heathrow, which Qatar Airways will now lease. The opposite two it was using were leased from Royal Brunei Airlines.
Photo: Jake Hardiman | Easy Flying
While MK doesn’t fly to Russia, the country is preparing to re-establish direct connections with Moscow this yr. Starting December 23, Russia’s Aeroflot will operate two weekly Boeing 777 flights from Sheremetyvo International Airport (SVO) to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport (MRU) within the Mauritian capital of Port Louis.
Flights will depart SVO on Sundays and Wednesdays at 20:50 and arrive at MRU at 09:00 local time. The return service departs MRU at 11:00, arriving at SVO at 21:40. Aeroflot will return to the Indian Ocean island after a 25-year hiatus because it last operated flights to Mauritius from October 1996 to October 1998 using II-62M aircraft.
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