Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Much talk as Madagascar President 'given aircraft gift'


President Hery Rajaonarimampianina (dark suit) with the Madagascar Airways staff at the the Antananarivo Ivato International Airport. The President has reported been given an aircraft gift by his friends. RIVONALA RAZAFISON | NATION MEDIA GROUP 
Madagascar President Hery Rajaonarimampianina’s family has reportedly received a private aircraft gift from friends.
The local media and online platforms have been awash with the news about the high end gift.
The bilingual Mon Journal newspapers on Monday asserted that the aircraft arrived at the Antananarivo Ivato International Airport last week.
Was cancelled
The online journal Sobika reported that the First Lady, Mrs Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina, accompanied by the Prime Minister’s wife ,were expected to use the aircraft on Saturday, but
their flight was cancelled due to lack of a navigability permit.
The two had reportedly planned to fly from Antananarivo to the northern capital of Antsiranana.
The aircraft is said to be one white-coloured Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia, manufactured in 1992.
South African
It has a South African registration, according to the Mon Journal.
Mon Journal explained that after being part of the SkyWest Airlines fleet, the aircraft was acquired by the Network Aviation in 2005.
It was later transferred to the African Airlines Investments-funded company Sahara African Aviation, with which the private-owned Madagasikara Airways has a commercial contract.
The Madagasikara Airways has in the recent past been the subject of much talk.
Controversy
Last week, the Malagasy customs officers’ union urged the government to sanction the company over tax violations.
Its second aircraft was found to have illegally been introduced into the country a few months ago.
Some critics were questioning how an aircraft shrouded in controversy could be used by the president and his family.

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