SCAA launches commemorative stamp to celebrate Seychelles International Airport’s Golden Jubilee |09 December 2022
Guests in a souvenir photograph
On the occasion of World Aviation Day on Wednesday December 7, under the theme ‘Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development’, the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has launched a commemorative stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Seychelles International Airport (SIA).
The SIA Golden Jubilee postal stamp was unveiled in its digital version in a short ceremony held on Wednesday morning at the Payanke CIP Lounge, domestic terminal, in the presence of the ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Francesca Alexandra Azaïs; the chairman of SCAA, Marlon Orr; the chief executive (CEO) of the Seychelles Postal Services (SPS), Mariella Buisson; the acting CEO of SCAA, Liz Morel; the SCAA executive team and invited guests.
The aim of launching the commemorative stamp is to preserve the history of the landscape of the current airport after its 50 years of existence, and serving the nation well, given that it will undergo changes in future developments.
It is a drawing of the current landscape of the modern airport surrounded by the beautiful scenery, including that of the boulders of the Mont Sebert mountain. The stamp, ideal for stamp collectors, will cost R12 and it will be sold at all SPS outlets.
In her opening remarks for the historic launch, SCAA’s acting CEO, Ms Morel, said that there was no better way than to launch the stamp on the occasion of World Aviation Day.
She added that our country’s civil aviation is honouring all of its obligations under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and currently we have achieved air services rights with 90 countries across the globe with a possibility that the number will increase further in future negotiation with other countries.
She said that with Seychelles being one of the member states of ICAO, albeit one of the smallest, we do take our role seriously in doing our part to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of states.
Ms Morel said that the commemorative stamp, which is a collaborative effort by SCAA, SPS and Ambassador Azaïs, apart from showing a more modern airport than it was since its opening in 1972, also gives credit to the beautiful scenery, especially the beautiful boulders of the Mont Sebert Mountain which has witnessed the many changes taken place at the airport and to witness the changes in the years to come.
She thanked all those involved in the realisation of the commemorative stamp, which will be an attraction to locals and visitors to our country.
Ms Buisson on her part said that SPS was honoured to issue the commemorative stamp to celebrate 50 years of the International Airport.
She added that as stamp collection is a hobby for many people, development in technology has brought the hobby to the tech generation which apart from selling the paper miniature version, SPS is also very excited to share the digital demo version of the commemorative stamp to the public, which can be stored in their virtual wallets to share, swap and display displayed online via the smart phones, apart from the miniature stamps among other associated philatelic accessories.
She added that she hoped the stamp bearing the 50th anniversary logo will light up thousands of postcards and letters as they make their way through the mails bags loaded onto planes at the airport and others around the world as SPS wants that the Seychelles history continues to be alive in the albums of stamps collectors of all ages across the World. It is to be noted that the digital version of the commemorative stamp is still being modified before going on sale.
In a symbolic gesture, the chairman of SCAA, Mr Orr, handed copies of the commemorative stamp to Ms Buisson, the SPS chief executive officer. This was followed by a toast to celebrate the launch of the stamp.
It has been 50 years since the Seychelles International Airport was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on March 20, 1972. The airport currently employs approximately 2,500 people, serving the needs of airlines, travellers and the general public.
Apart from launching the Golden Jubilee postal stamp to celebrate World Aviation Day and 50 years of our international airport, a team from SCAA also planted 100 trees at Mont Chevalier on Praslin for this occasion, as part of its commitment to participate in the carbon reduction offsetting scheme for international aviation.
Text & photos by Patrick Joubert
