Passengers to follow new ground operating procedures at Seychelles International Airport |04 August 2020

Temperature check prior to proceeding to check-in counter (Photo source: Air Seychelles)

Air Seychelles has announced that with the resumption of commercial passenger services on August 1, 2020, a comprehensive set of new ground handling measures has been implemented at the Seychelles International Airport.

As per the new ground handling Covid-19 operating policy, it is now a mandatory requirement for passengers travelling on all flights handled by Air Seychelles to arrive at the Seychelles International Airport 4 hours prior to departure.

This will allow passengers sufficient time to swiftly proceed through the new set of health and safety procedures, upon check-in, immigration and customs as well as during boarding, as a preventive measure against the spread of Covid-19.

The change will also enable on time departures of all airlines operating at the Seychelles International Airport.

In adopting the new normal, passengers will be requested to answer a few health related questions, apart from having their temperature monitored, before joining the check-in queue.

In adherence with the guidelines from the health authorities, sanitising stations including physical distancing indicators have also been placed within the airport facility.

Physical protective barriers are also present at each check-in counter to provide additional safety reassurance to both the passengers and guest service agents on duty.

Vania Larue, head of ground services at Air Seychelles, said: “The dynamism of the Covid-19 pandemic has led us to change the way we conduct our usual ground handling duties at the Seychelles International Airport.

“In line with the guidance from the health authorities, together with the regulator, we had to adapt and develop a new ground handling policy to incorporate the new health and safety procedures as part of our business.

“To ensure that these measures are implemented accordingly and furthermore as each airline has their own Covid-19 operating procedure, adopting current global practice, we have found it necessary to advise all passengers to arrive at the airport 4 hours before their flight to complete all the required formalities and to ensure timely turnaround plus departure of their flight.”

Press release from Air Seychelles