Private flights to Dubai: ACM remains silent in the face of mounting questions

Mis à jour le 21 May 2026

For several weeks, a shadow has hung over the Malagasy private aviation sector: flights operated by private jets from Madagascar to Dubai have sparked intense curiosity, even growing concern about their true nature. The prolonged silence of the Civil Aviation Authority of Madagascar (ACM) in response to a series of questions regarding these movements has heightened mistrust surrounding their legitimacy and purpose. In the year 2026, as the world witnesses a surge in geopolitical tensions and increasingly stringent regulations in the aviation sector, these private flights raise fundamental questions about transparency and air traffic control in the region. The current situation reveals an alarming paradox: on the one hand, the authorities’ need to preserve national security; on the other, an opacity that undermines public trust and complicates understanding of what might be behind these operations, thus fueling a climate of growing suspicion.

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The complex challenges of private flights to Dubai and their impact on aviation transparency.

Private jets bound for Dubai are playing an increasingly significant role in international trade, particularly in regions where the flow of strategic resources, such as gold, appears to be intensifying. However, their emergence in the Malagasy context is not simply a matter of increased air traffic. It raises undeniably serious issues, both in terms of security and regulation. The situation in 2026 appears to be a turning point for private aviation, whose regulations remain insufficiently enforced or understood by the public. The lack of clear communication from the Malagasy Civil Aviation Authority (ACM) in the face of mounting questions, particularly regarding the exact nature of these flights, illustrates a crisis of confidence that could weaken the sector as a whole.

The risks associated with opacity in the context of military and civil aviation

The distinctive feature of some suspicious flights lies in their occurrence at night, using unidentified or barely visible aircraft in Malagasy airspace. These discreet movements, often carried out by unregistered aircraft, exacerbate the risks associated with the potential movement of goods or people under the guise of legality or illegality. The resulting confusion can foster the rise of illicit activities such as drug or gold trafficking, particularly to Dubai, which is frequently cited as a key destination in these routes. While the 2026 regulations aim to better control these flows, they still face a lack of transparency that hinders the authorities’ ability to prevent or intervene effectively in such cases. Environmental and security concerns are growing, reinforcing the urgent need for clarification.

The limitations of aviation regulations in Madagascar in 2026 regarding undeclared flights

Despite its stated aim of regulating air traffic, Malagasy aviation legislation reveals its shortcomings in the face of real-world conditions. The official list of authorized companies, published by the ACM (Agency for Civil Aviation), does not include TOA (Tourisme Océan Indien Aviation), linked to Mamy Ravatomanga, raising doubts about the compliance of some private flights. Regulations clearly stipulate that only Madagascar Airlines, Madagascar Trans Air, GS Aviation, HFF Travel Airways, and Madagascar Fly Alliance hold the specific authorizations to operate in the public or private air transport sector. However, the diversity of unidentified aircraft in the skies in October 2026 suggests that potential abuses exist, or at least that a degree of impunity may be flourishing. The need for thorough reform and strengthened controls is undeniable; otherwise, the credibility of institutions could be permanently damaged in matters of air safety.

The importance of transparency in the management of strategic air traffic

• Increasing transparency in flight management, particularly for private aviation, is essential to restoring public trust and reassuring the international community. In 2026, the Malagasy Civil Aviation Authority’s (ACM) failure to provide concrete answers regarding these flights and their exact destinations fuels an atmosphere of persistent suspicion. The growing number of questions, such as those concerning the movement of strategic goods like gold and silver, demands clear answers, supported by concrete measures. Transparency should aim to strengthen the control of air traffic in a global context where every country faces security and sovereignty challenges. The absence of official reports or independent audits reinforces the perception of an opaque system, susceptible to being misused for purposes contrary to the public interest.
• Examples of effective regulatory systems for private aviation worldwide: In comparison to the situation in Madagascar, several countries have implemented rigorous systems to regulate private aviation, particularly in sensitive or strategic areas. European regulation, for example, relies on continuous monitoring and strict enforcement of rules with regular checks. The United Kingdom, through its airport authorities, has implemented comprehensive aircraft checks, with whitelists and blacklists that filter out any suspicious activity. In Japan, certification of private jet owners is mandatory, which significantly limits the circulation of undeclared or illegal aircraft. These examples illustrate that a clear regulatory framework, combined with increased oversight, would undoubtedly prevent abuses and strengthen the credibility of the authorities.
• A list of fundamental measures to adopt could include:
• ✅ Creation of a national register of approved aircraft

✅ Real-time monitoring of movements via satellites or advanced radar

✅ Regular audits of operators and aircraft

✅ Deterrent sanctions for violations

✅ International collaboration for information sharing

The benefits of a strengthened system for preventing illicit activities

Strict regulation would limit the movement of goods and people under the guise of legality. The risk of the movement of strategic goods, such as precious metals or hazardous materials, could thus be better controlled, thereby reducing the potential for diversion to illicit activities. Increased transparency, coupled with international cooperation, could allow for the early detection of suspicious movements, thus protecting national sovereignty and strengthening the confidence of trading partners. Controlling air traffic then becomes crucial for ensuring political and security stability in Madagascar, while also contributing to the global effort to combat transnational crime.

Since the beginning of 2026, the question of the ACM’s transparency regarding private flights to Dubai has remained at the heart of numerous debates. The recent publication of a notice reiterating the secrecy surrounding all security matters has not calmed concerns; quite the contrary. The authority’s communication seems to waver between the desire to preserve the confidentiality of security operations and the need to respond to the legitimate expectations of civil society and the media. The persistent confusion surrounding these movements has heightened mistrust and rumors of uncontrolled clandestine activities.

The impact of prolonged silence on the authority’s credibility

The ACM’s silence, in a context where every air movement is scrutinized, is perceived as a factor undermining its legitimacy. The international community demands a minimum of transparency, especially when these movements may have geo-economic or security ramifications. The lack of clear communication regarding the fate of these flights, particularly those operated by unidentified aircraft, fuels a spiral of suspicion that can ironically benefit those seeking to divert attention or conceal unscrupulous activities. The need to open a genuine dialogue with the population and the international community is essential to restoring the credibility of Malagasy institutions in the aviation sector.

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The geopolitical and economic implications of uncontrolled private flights to Dubai

Private flights to Dubai, in the current geopolitical context, take on considerable strategic importance. Dubai is a key platform for conducting economic and financial transactions, and even for transporting high-value goods. The gold market, in particular, is a sector where Madagascar is considered a major player, with suspected flows of gold being smuggled to this destination. The rise in these unregulated private flights could thus pose a significant risk to the country’s image, while also fueling transnational crime.

Risks to sovereignty and economic stability

Uncontrolled or chaotic air traffic could also weaken Malagasy sovereignty by allowing foreign or local actors to completely circumvent national regulations. Economic stability, already fragile in 2026, could suffer from an uncontrolled influx of illicit capital or a tarnished international reputation. Transparency in the management of the aviation sector, and in particular private flights to Dubai, is therefore a matter of sovereignty and national security, likely to have a lasting impact on Madagascar’s economic future.