AIR SEYCHELLES CEO CRAMER BALL ANNOUNCES HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE AIRLINE
(Posted 28th January 2014)
In what has been described as a shock announcement for the staff at Air Seychelles, who apparently apart from less than a handful of trusted individuals did not know about this development, has Cramer Ball announced his departure from the airline by end of February.
It was learned that he had informed the Chairman of the Board of Directors, who is also the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, about his decision before making a public announcement earlier today.
Minister Morgan was quoted to have said upon learning the news: ‘Cramer Ball has been instrumental in revitalising our national carrier, and setting the company on an exciting new path to growth. He led the airline into profitability in his first year of leadership and has rebuilt the foundations of this proud company, introducing new aircraft, new routes, new standards of service and new opportunities for the airline’s employees. I put on record today our grateful thanks and our good wishes for the future’.
Cramer, well known to this correspondent, reportedly responded to this laudation by saying: ‘I am considering a number of career options, and would hope to be in a position to provide an update in the near future. Given this situation, I am resigning to be fair to both the business and to the staff who have supported me, in order to enable a comprehensive handover and a smooth transition to the next CEO, but will remain with the airline until late in February, when we present the full year financial results to the board’. Cramer then went on to say: ‘We have not only turned around the airline, but we have created the foundations for a very bright future for our staff and future generations of Seychellois. I will be forever grateful for the very warm welcome, support and friendship shown to me by the people of the Seychelles. I would also like to recognise the incredible vision shown by President Michel for laying the foundations of Air Seychelles, and the unwavering support, commitment, foresight and passion of my Chairman, Joel Morgan, in working with me and my team to turn around Air Seychelles and create a strong business with a bright future’.
Cramer’s vision for the airline paid handsome dividends when only a year into his term of office the airline turned in a 1 million US Dollars profit, which going by present feedback from usually well informed sources close to the airline will be exceeded by far.
Under Cramer’s leadership was the ageing B767-300ER fleet retired and two Airbus A330-200 acquired, which are now flying to such destinations like Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong via Abu Dhabi and soon Paris via Abu Dhabi, while the route to Mauritius is served by a wetleased Airbus A320 from partner airline Etihad before later this year Air Seychelles’ own A320 will join the fleet.
On the domestic routes was the most significant development the acquisition of 3 brand new Twin Otter 6-400 which are due for delivery in 2015, replacing three ageing Twin Otter 6-300 models.
Also introduced during Cramer’s reign at the helm of Air Seychelles was the Air Seychelles VIP Terminal which caters for private charters being handled by the airline, launched in September last year.
To Cramer, and his family, all the best, wherever they go from the Seychelles, although it must be hard to leave paradise behind, especially after turning the fortunes of a nearly moribund airline around, achieving Skytrax 4 star rating and being names as Africa’ second best airline.
Watch this space for breaking and regular news from the aviation sector across the Indian Ocean.
