AIR SEYCHELLES PROMOTES TWO MORE FIRST OFFICERS TO CAPTAIN’S RANKS
The national airline of the Seychelles has earlier in the week promoted two long serving Seychellois first officers to the status of captains on their B767 fleet, an occasion marked by a congratulatory message from President James Michel himself. The pair, Ronnie Ah-Shung and Paul Belle, had joined the airline in 1998 and 1997 respectively and successfully completed their company ‘command upgrade programme’ last month. The ceremony, when they were awarded their ‘four stripes’ was witnessed by their families and senior staff from the airline, civil aviation authority and government officials.
Both captains started their career with HM on the inter island services flying Twin Otters, and moved on to the B767’s in 2001, where they accumulated experience and the required hours to ‘graduate’ into captain’s ranks.
It is understood from sources close to the airline that only 7 expatriate pilots now remain with Air Seychelles as the programme to recruit and train young Seychellois citizens has been hugely successful in recent years.
Happy landings to Capts. Belle and Ah-Shung as they now fly in the captain’s left seat.
