SCAA ANNOUNCES NEW DOMESTIC TERMINAL FOR MAHE’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
(Posted 11th December 2013)
The impressive performance by Air Seychelles’ domestic services, which offers over 20 daily departures between the international airport on Mahe and the aerodrome of the second largest island of Praslin as well as charters to other islands across the entire archipelago, has now prompted the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority to announce the construction of a new domestic terminal towards much improved check in, departure lounge and arrival lounge facilities. The present terminal will upon completion of the 24 month construction period serve purely for arrivals, while the check in and departure lounge will be located in a newly constructed adjoining building.
Seychelles’ Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan, earlier this week laid the foundation stone for the new terminal, which comes hot on the heels of inaugurating additional cargo processing sheds last week
Local aviation sources attribute these developments at the airport, including the launch in October of a new VIP Terminal by Air Seychelles, to the growing success of the national airline, which has embarked on a strong growth path after an initial period of consolidation since Etihad, Abu Dhabi’s national airline, has come on board as an equity partner.
In October did Air Seychelles announce, as reported here from location, the purchase of three brand new Twin Otter DHC6-400 aircraft, with delivery due in 2015, which will coincide with the completion of the new domestic terminal. Two weeks ago then did Air Seychelles announce the acquisition of an Airbus A319 which will be delivered to the airline in Q4 of 2014, with expanded destinations, to be served by this aircraft, given as Antananarivo / Madagascar, St. Denis / Reunion and Mumbai / India.
Said a Victoria based source when passing the information on late yesterday: ‘SCAA has in the recent past engaged in a range of projects, which have modernized our international airport. New navigation equipment, embracing the new ICAO navigation standards, the new cargo facility and now the new domestic terminal. Air Seychelles has seen passenger numbers rise by double digit percentage since last year, not only to Praslin but also for the charters to other islands.
This speaks of the newfound success of Air Seychelles which makes further infrastructure development by SCAA a priority. Apart from cruise passengers all our visitors come by air, this year more than ever before, and it is important that their first and last impression of the Seychelles, at the airport, is favourable. Tourism is our most important business in the Seychelles and we are doing what it takes to make the stay of our visitors from the moment they land to the moment they board their return flight as pleasant and memorable as possible’.
The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority in July celebrated 41 years of being the regulatory body for aviation in the Seychelles and is headed by Gilbert Faure as CEO and Capt. David Savy as Chairman of the Board.
