16 October 2025 - Decision to cancel flights MK 288/289 of 13 October 2025 to Antananarivo

16 October 2025

Decision to cancel flights MK 288/289 of 13 October 2025 to Antananarivo

Further to your information request on our decision to cancel flights MK288/MK289 of 13 October 2025, the Managing Committee, after consultation with the Board, has felt it necessary to provide information for you and the public to understand how & why this decision was taken:

The decision to cancel a flight is never taken lightly. In this case, it was made based on the recommendations of our Management Safety Review Board which consisted of the following job holders – all seasoned experts in their fields:

Accountable Manager (Chairperson)

Acting Head of Corporate Safety

Nominated Person – Flight Operations

Nominated Person - Crew Training

Head of Technical Services

Head of Ground Operations

Head of Human Resources

Head of Compliance Monitoring and Continuing Airworthiness Safety (Ag)

Manager Corporate Safety

Lead Cabin Operations and In-Flight Services

Air Safety Investigator

Senior Administrative Officer

The following points were considered:

Socio-Political Situation in Madagascar

The committee was briefed on the current situation in Madagascar.

The country is currently undergoing a significant political and social crisis, marked by sustained youth-led protests and a stalled government transition.

Emirates, Turkish airlines and Air France have cancelled some of their flights.

Since the MK offices had recently been ransacked with considerable damage to property and loss of all equipment and the death of around 20 demonstrators, the Security Department of Air Mauritius has been closely monitoring the situation on an hourly basis. However, Air Mauritius has continued its operations to TNR.

The committee was appraised that Air France issued a communique the day before, cancelling its operations between Paris and Antananarivo from 11 October 2025 to 13 October 2025, citing a fast-worsening security crisis in Madagascar’s capital.

The Head of Ground Operations stated that the possible occurrences could be:

• a military take-over.
• a major breakdown of law and order.
• or fragmentation of the army which could lead to civil unrest.

In his opinion, the residual risks are still acceptable to continue operations to TNR this afternoon.

The Chair opened the debate to the members of the committee and the following evaluation of operational, safety and logistical risks were carried out:

1. AOG (Aircraft on Ground)

Technical assistance is very limited in TNR. The company normally carries its own Licensed Aircraft Engineers (LAEs) when operating to this destination. In the event of a technical failure, dispatching engineers, spares or a recovery aircraft would be impractical and unsafe. MK personnel could be exposed to a hostile and unpredictable environment. Furthermore with 2 wide-bodied aircraft out of 8 - i.e 25% - being already out of service, the risk of leaving an additional aircraft, if AOG in TNR, will be catastrophic for the airline operations. If damaged by rioters, Insurance may claim insufficient risk assessment and refuse to consider claims in the event of damage.

2. Crew Safety

MK personnel could be stranded in the aircraft should there be any curfews, unrest or closure of the airport. Cockpit crew have raised concerns about their safety and have requested further assessment before flying to TNR. They recalled a previous incident when a military vehicle stopped the MK aircraft on the runway, escalated the ladder and removed several passengers by force from the aircraft. They felt that with the vacuum being created between the President and the Armed forces, the risk was on the high side.

3. Operational Continuity

Access to airport and airspace could be denied at short notice due to military activity or unrest. Should an MK aircraft be stranded in TNR for a certain period, the consequences on the Company’s operations would be dramatic and more specifically for the forthcoming peak season. The scenario of the aircraft landing but not being allowed to depart safely was a concern.

4. Media Reports

International media such as AFP and BBC are reporting that the airport could be taken over by the military or the demonstrators.

5. Benchmarking

Other international carriers have suspended their operations to TNR, and more importantly, Air France and Emirates. Air France security, supervised by the French Govt has better intelligence than us and if they have opted for cancelling their flights then they must have had credible information on possible escalation of the outbreak of law.

6. Private Jet

The committee was informed that a private jet which had landed from TNR the day before was carrying several political figures onboard; all supposedly absconding from TNR.

7. Sentiment against Mauritius/Air Mauritius

The arrival of the private jet carrying the ex-Prime Minister of Madagascar to Mauritius has sparked strong reactions over the social media which could create a perception of Mauritius being friendly to the fleeing high profile cronies of the government. Rumours were rife in Antananarivo that MRU could be becoming a safe haven for politicians fleeing the country and MK being a symbol of MRU could become a target.

8. Target

The company’s aircraft could become an easy target during approach and landing, or on ground. A damage by one single bullet could ground the aircraft and crew for an indefinite period of time.

In the view of the above, the committee decided to recommend to the Managing Committee the suspension of the flight to TNR on 13 October 2025.

The decision was time-bound and subject to review based on measurable safety and security criteria. Any operation of MK flights to TNR, should be subject to a thorough security risk assessment by the Security Department.

The Acting Head of Corporate Safety stated that for operations in conflict zone, a safety risk assessment needs to be carried out prior to resuming operations.

Based on the above, the Management Safety Review Board deemed the operations of the flights to Antananarivo to be unsafe, and therefore, a no-go decision was made in the interest of passenger/crew/equipment safety and dire financial consequences in case of any incident. The decision was time bound and subject to review based on measurable safety and security criteria.

Air Mauritius does not have to inform the Government when it adds or cancels flights; but in this particular case, as we had fellow Mauritians stranded in Madagascar, we considered that it was material to inform the Government. The Chairman personally called the Minister of Foreign Affairs who in turn informed the Government.

It is important to note that insurance policies typically have clauses which exclude coverage in cases where a flight is operated AFTER safety concerns and a Red flag assessment has been raised and where negligence may be invoked. This to ensure that airlines prioritise safety above all and do not take unnecessary risks which could jeopardise safety in any form.

Furthermore, in the event that a Director decides to override the Management Safety Review Board and the aircraft is involved in an incident, apart from financial liability, criminal liability would potentially arise. Directors have a legal duty to act in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders, which includes ensuring the safety of passengers, crew and equipment. If it can be proven that Directors knowingly disregarded safety recommendations and put lives at risk, they would face criminal charges for negligence or endangerment.

Ultimately, the decision to cancel the flight was made with the safety of all passengers and crew in mind. At Air Mauritius, we take safety very seriously and will always prioritise the well-being of our customers and crew above all else.