Mauritius Denies Landing to Israel-Bound Flight, Citing Political Concerns

Air Seychelles announced on Saturday the cancellation of a flight from Tel Aviv to Mauritius, after Mauritian authorities refused landing permission for the aircraft originating from Israel. Spirit Global Production, the company responsible for organizing the trip, stated that despite efforts to secure necessary permits, Mauritian authorities did not grant approval, leading to the flight's cancellation.

The company expressed concerns that the refusal might be linked to Mauritius's current stance on the entry of Israelis, potentially due to the ongoing political situation and disputes. Sources familiar with the decision suggested a possible connection to Mauritius's delegation walking out of the UN General Assembly hall during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech, although no official confirmation linking the two events has been issued.

Spirit Global Production apologized to the affected passengers, who had to cancel their holiday plans after months of preparation. The company is working with Air Seychelles and relevant authorities to gather information on the implications of the decision and to arrange suitable alternatives for the travelers, promising direct personal communication.

Tali Yativ, the company's CEO and owner, stated, "We are particularly sorry if the decision was indeed made for political reasons, directly harming Israeli travelers who have no connection to these decisions. We did everything we could until the last moment to ensure the flight departed as planned."

This cancellation follows Air Seychelles' announcement in June to resume flights to Israel, offering Israelis direct access to the Seychelles islands. Flights from Tel Aviv to Mahé, the main island, began in August.