Death of Dominique Paturau, Pioneer of Mauritian Aviation

Dominique Paturau, a trailblazer in Mauritian aviation and the first long-haul captain of Air Mauritius, has passed away at the age of 76 in France. His career, which played a significant role in modernizing the fleet and transporting prominent figures, is etched in the history of the nation.

Paturau, an iconic figure in Mauritian aviation, was born on August 19, 1949, in Mauritius, and leaves behind a legacy closely tied to the history of Air Mauritius and the development of national air transport.

He joined Air Mauritius in 1978, marking the start of a continuous professional journey within the national airline. This opportunity allowed him to become the first Mauritian admitted to the École nationale de l’aviation civile (ENAC) in Toulouse, a leading institution in global aeronautical training. Throughout his career, he steadily climbed the ranks, progressing from crew member to captain and instructor, eventually becoming chief pilot. He served on various aircraft, including the Twin Otter, Boeing 747, and Airbus A340.

Paturau was also instrumental in key phases of Air Mauritius's fleet modernization. He participated in the delivery flights of several of the airline's first aircraft, including the ATR 42 and A340, notably ferrying the first A340 from Toulouse. At times, he was also called to pilot aircraft for Lufthansa, operating flights to destinations such as New York, Boston, and Washington.

Among the notable moments in his career was a flight to Rodrigues with Pope John Paul II, during which the pontiff signed his flight log. He also facilitated air transport for various personalities and heads of state, including former French President Jacques Chirac. In August 2014, he retired at the mandatory age of 65, following a final flight from Paris, having accumulated 36 years of service with Air Mauritius, nearly 30 of which were spent as chief pilot, making him the airline's longest-serving Mauritian pilot.

After retirement, he spoke publicly about the sector's challenges, advocating for greater "Mauritianization" of Air Mauritius and enhanced dialogue between management and pilots. Outside of aviation, Paturau was described as a passionate sportsman, deeply connected to the sea and water activities.

In a message on its Facebook page, Air Mauritius paid tribute to him, stating, "Today, we honor Captain Dominique Paturau, a pioneer of Air Mauritius, who joined the company in 1978 and became the first Mauritian captain to operate long-haul flights." Air Mauritius recalled that throughout his career, "he piloted many types of aircraft, from the Twin Otter to the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340, and had the honor of bringing several new planes to Mauritius. His professionalism, dedication, and pride in representing the nation will forever be remembered."