Air Mauritius, CEO Krešimir Kučko along with the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jean Laval Ah Chip have been temporarily stood down by the airline’s Board of Directors after it was brought to their attention that the duo accepted a stay in a hotel in France, covered by one of Air Mauritius’ suppliers, local media report.
Kučko, a seasoned aviation executive who had previously led Croatia Airlines and Gulf Air, assumed the role of CEO at Air Mauritius just last December. The Air Mauritius Board of Directors convened to address these allegations and swiftly decided to appoint an independent party to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The move to suspend the CEO and CFO is grounded in concerns related to the principles of corporate governance.
A key point of contention centers on a trip taken by Kučko and Ah Chip to France, during which their travel expenses were entirely covered by a leasing company that also provides aircraft to Air Mauritius. The airline’s decision to launch an inquiry stems from suspicions that this sponsorship may constitute bribery.
During the investigation, Kučko and Ah Chip will remain suspended from their positions, leaving the airline under the interim management of operational chief Alain Leing Hing Wah and commercial chief Laurent Recoura. However, it’s worth noting that the interim leadership has also faced its share of criticism. Alain Leung Hing Wah had previously been suspended due to an internal investigation, where allegations arose that he and a colleague had exchanged approvals improperly. After a two-year hiatus, Hing Wah was reinstated.
35,000 seats between Geneva and Mauritius from October to April
In other news, Air Mauritius is gearing up to relaunch its services to Geneva, Switzerland. Starting from October 2, the airline will operate two non-stop weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays. This announcement has been eagerly anticipated by many in French-speaking Switzerland, who see Mauritius as a flagship destination in the Indian Ocean.
Originally, Air Mauritius planned to operate these flights until January 12, 2024. However, the surge in reservations following the announcement prompted the airline to extend its operations until April 30, 2024. The return of Air Mauritius to Geneva was celebrated at a gathering attended by Usha Chandnee Dwarka-Canabady, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations, and Arvind Bundhun, Director General of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA).
Laurent Recoura, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Mauritius, emphasized the popularity of these flights, particularly in Business Class, and the decision to extend the season was a direct response to this success. Air Mauritius plans to offer over 35,000 seats between Geneva and Mauritius during this extended period.
Schedule from October 2 to 27, 2023 (local times – subject to change)
MK 048 Maurice 8:00 a.m. – Geneva 5:45 p.m. – Monday and FridayMK 059 Geneva 9:10 p.m. – Mauritius 10:00 a.m. – Monday and Friday
Schedule from October 28, 2023 to January 12, 2024 (local times)
MK 048 Maurice 9:00 a.m. – Geneva 5:45 p.m. – Monday and FridayMK 059 Geneva 9:10 p.m. – Mauritius 11:00 a.m. – Monday and Friday
Schedule from January 15 to March 30, 2024 (local times)
MK 048 Maurice 9:00 a.m. – Geneva 5:45 p.m. – Monday and FridayMK 059 Geneva 9:10 p.m. – Mauritius 11:00 a.m. – Monday and Friday
Schedule from April 1 to 30, 2024 (local times)
MK 048 – Mauritius 8:00 a.m. – Geneva 5:45 p.m. – Monday and FridayMK 059 – Geneva 9:10 p.m. – Mauritius 10:00 a.m. – Monday and Friday
