Air Mauritius (MK, Mauritius) chairman Kishore Beegoo has dismissed calls to sell the struggling national airline to Qatar Airways, warning it would undermine the country’s economic sovereignty.
In an interview published by Mauritius' Defi Media, Beegoo said that suggestions by politicians to offload the carrier or allow Qatar Airways to sharply expand flights to Mauritius would be "a strategic error with serious consequences".
"This is not simply a commercial transaction," he said. "It is a matter of our economic sovereignty, our autonomy in the field of air transport, and our ability to control the air system as a lever for national development. Selling the national airline under current conditions would amount to mortgaging our economic future. We must not confuse the need for strategic alliances - which we are exploring - with an outright sale of our national tool. Air Mauritius is a strategic asset, and its value far exceeds its balance sheet."
He added: "I regret that some short-sighted people, driven by the logic of immediate political profit, are defending such perilous positions. These are short-term visions that ignore the complexity of the sector and the recovery momentum that has begun."
Beegoo emphasised that the airline is pursuing alliances to strengthen its network but ruled out an outright sale. He said the new leadership is focused on restructuring, tighter cost controls, and restoring operational stability after years of mismanagement.
Mauritius’ deputy prime minister recently criticised the carrier’s performance amid mounting flight disruptions, but Beegoo said political pressure must not dictate the company’s future. "We do not manage the national airline based on media statements or political calculations, but in the best interests of Mauritius, the company itself, and all its employees," he said.
Earlier, Defi Media reported that Cabinet-level discussions had taken place on bringing in Qatar Airways as a strategic partner to help stabilise and expand Air Mauritius. Beegoo had reportedly earlier acknowledged that "all options are open" and that the airline may invite investor expressions of interest.
Structural issues, lack of long-term planning
Beegoo acknowledged that the airline inherited deep structural problems and could not be turned around in a few months. He said the previous management's lack of long-term maintenance planning had left the fleet vulnerable, with up to 50% of the fleet (six out of 12 aircraft) grounded during a crisis week in late July 2025, which disrupted the airline's international and regional network.
Beegoo gave the following details:
- both of the airline's A330-900Ns were grounded. The first, in scheduled maintenance at Bordeaux Mérignac since May 25, sustained major structural damage when a hurricane tore a hangar door off, striking the aircraft. Its return to service has now been delayed by several months;
- the second A330-900N experienced a technical failure at St. Denis de la Réunion. Although a team was dispatched immediately, repairs were delayed due to the airport’s restricted operating hours;
- both of its A330-200s have been affected, with one experiencing a fault during departure from Mumbai International;
- of the four A350-900s, one was removed from service for an engine replacement;
- among the three ATR72-500s, one was returned to the supplier as part of a planned swap for an ATR72-600, while another sustained damage from a hard landing at Rodrigues Island, requiring weeks of repairs.
"Overall, this sequence illustrated all the consequences of a lack of rigorous planning, inherited from the previous administration. Unplanned C-checks caught us off guard, as maintenance slots are scarce - and extremely expensive - when booked urgently. This crisis reveals an urgent need for operational discipline and strategic anticipation, without which no airline can operate sustainably," he stressed.
According to ch-aviation data, three aircraft remain out of action: one A330-900N, one ATR72-500, and one ATR72-600.
Beegoo also flagged frequent leadership changes and questionable past fleet decisions, such as selling new aircraft while leasing old ones and ordering three additional A350-900s without a clear network strategy. Air Mauritius is now executing a three-year maintenance plan, he said - rehiring experts, recruiting engineers, and partnering with Airbus for support.
The board has commissioned Kroll to investigate aircraft deals during voluntary administration. Beegoo also confirmed reforms to ensure transparent pilot recruitment, merit-based promotions, and restructuring of ground handling services.
Finally, he announced a crackdown on the widespread abuse of free tickets (18,000 granted in 2024, including to employees, retirees, board members, and tourism operators), calling it unsustainable. Some abuses, such as employees using dozens of free tickets or former CEOs travelling business class for life, will be eliminated despite expected resistance, he said.
