Johannesburg (CNN) -- A plane carrying Madagascar's ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana was turned away from Madagascan airspace Saturday as he tried to return from exile, his spokesman and the airline said. 

Ravalomanana, who had been in South Africa in exile, took off from Johannesburg Saturday morning in what was his second bid to return to his home country. 

But Ravalomanana's spokesman Patrick Gearing, in South Africa, told CNN that the civil aviation authorities on the Indian Ocean island had closed the airspace, refusing the plane permission to land. 

By Saturday afternoon the plane -- and Ravalomanana -- were back in South Africa, said Gearing. 

Ravalomanana was ousted in March 2009 through a coup backed by the military, which handed power to current President Andry Rajoelina, the youthful former mayor of Antananarivo. 

Shortly before boarding his flight to the capital, Antananarivo, Ravalomanana said that he had just spoken with the Madagascan Prime Minister Omer Beriziky, who told him "everything was OK." 

Speaking before the flight took off, Gearing said: "He has no control over what will happen to him when he arrives but he is prepared to face whatever comes his way." 

Ravalomanana's previous unsuccessful effort to return last year came to an end in Johannesburg, when the airline he was using was told it wouldn't be allowed to land if he was on board. 

Madagascar is in the process of implementing a peace agreement facilitated by a regional body, the South African Development Community. 

Gearing says Ravalomanana met with South Africa's President Jacob Zuma Friday to thank him for letting him stay following his ouster. 
Who was formerly the leader of Madagascar?
What was he trying to do?
Who was his spokesman?
What did he say?
Who did he tell that?
Did they let him land?
Where did they go after that?
When was he removed from office?
How?
Who became President?
Who was the Prime Minister?
What did he say?
What is Madagascar doing?
Who is facilitating it?
What's their name?
Who did he meet with?
Why?
For what?
When did he stay?
Who was the South African President?
Marc Ravalomanana
Marc Ravalomanana
to return
to return from exile
Patrick Gearing
Patrick Gearing
Airspace was closed.
had closed the airspace
CNN
told CNN
No
refusing the plane
South Africa
back in South Africa
2009
ousted in March 2009
a coup
 a coup
Andry Rajoelina
Andry Rajoelina
Omer Beriziky
Prime Minister Omer Beriziky
everything was OK
everything was OK." 
implementing a peace agreement
process of implementing a peace agreement 
a regional body
a regional body
South African Development Community
South African Development Community
South Africa's President
South Africa's President
to thank him
to thank him
letting him stay
letting him stay following his ouster
following his ouster
following his ouster
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma