The case of five Boeing 777 aircraft with Malagasy registrations that ended up in Iran has taken a new turn, with the trial being suspended indefinitely. The aircraft, previously owned by Singapore Airlines, were delivered to Iran in July 2025 with temporary Malagasy registrations. According to reports, they are now part of the fleet of Mahan Air, an Iranian airline under US sanctions since 2011.
The Aviation Civil of Madagascar (ACM) had issued a temporary certificate to UDAAN Aviation on January 17, 2025, which was valid until April 17, 2025, for the convoy of aircraft from China to Kenya for maintenance. However, the aircraft never made it to Kenya and instead flew to several Iranian airports. The ACM claims that the date of expiration of the certificate was modified without authorization to July 12, 2025.
The ACM has presented itself as a victim of fraud, stating that the aircraft never landed in Madagascar and that a simple reservation of prefix does not constitute registration. The authority has filed a complaint for forgery and use of forgery. On the other hand, the prosecutor believes that 13 other ACM agents may be involved, and the new management of the ACM has also filed complaints.
A total of 38 people are being prosecuted in this case, including former public officials, such as a former Minister of Transport and a former President of the Senate, as well as businessmen. Some of the accused have been detained for over a year, and their lawyers argue that this detention is illegal. There are also reports of a defendant who died in prison before being tried.
The financial aspects of the case are still unclear, with no established amount of money involved. One defendant reportedly mentioned an amount of five million euros, but their lawyer disputes this version. The contrast is striking, as a company called Udaan Potentials was created in Antananarivo in 2023 with a capital of only 2 million ariary, equivalent to less than 400 euros.
Madagascar faces potential risks, including loss of credibility and possible international sanctions. The Director General of the ACM has mentioned the risk of reinforced surveillance by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Although no sanctions have been announced, the case remains sensitive in Washington, with the FBI involved in the investigation and awaiting pieces of evidence from the United States.
The case highlights the importance of trust in the aviation registry system. When a country loses the trust of its partners, its airlines and passengers bear the consequences. Madagascar needs Washington's cooperation for its exports, particularly under the AGOA agreement extended until 2028. The country will have to live with the open question of how a three-month document could be used for five aircraft to fly to Iran.
Key points
- The trial has been suspended indefinitely, and 38 people are being prosecuted in connection with the case.
- The aircraft were delivered to Iran with temporary Malagasy registrations, raising concerns over aviation safety and regulatory oversight.
- Madagascar faces potential risks, including loss of credibility and possible international sanctions.
