Air Mauritius Investigates 7 Airbus Orders and Fleet Sales Since 2020

The local airline has hired the international firm Kroll to investigate the management of its aircraft fleet, focusing on the period from April 2020 to September 2021 when the airline was under voluntary administration.

In a statement released on June 14, the airline said a team from Kroll is currently in Mauritius reviewing the decisions made during this time.

This legal review aims to clarify how some planes were sold, others leased, and new aircraft ordered from Airbus. These decisions continue to affect the airline’s operations and costs.

During the voluntary administration, Air Mauritius sold five aircraft. The airline also leased two older Airbus A330 planes, which had technical issues, as replacements.

Additionally, the airline ordered more planes than needed. Kremchand Beegoo, the airline’s chairman, explained in a March 14 press conference that the airline initially planned to buy six Airbus A350s but ended up ordering seven.

The extra plane is not currently needed. Each Airbus A350 costs around USD 195 million, and Beegoo warned this decision will have significant financial impacts in the coming years.

The statement also noted that in June 2023, Air Mauritius ordered three more Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

Kroll’s investigation will also examine the fairness of the bidding process for these purchases, especially concerning anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws.

To ensure an independent review, the airline’s board decided to bring in foreign experts. Beegoo explained that “everyone knows everyone” in Mauritius, which could influence impartiality.

The investigation aims to shed light on these costly decisions and their legal compliance.

Source: l’Express