Authority marks 36 years of commercial aviation |09 July 2007
Eight of them have been in public service 35 years and were rewarded for that. They are Claude Mondon, Lucy Andre, Melanie Bamboche, Tonny King, Lucina Lozaique, Cybil Gontier, Jean-Baptiste Felix and Anna Durup.
The rest of the 35 employees also got awards for either 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 years of service.
Among those who attended the event and who also presented the workers with their awards, were the outgoing chairman of the SCAA, Gerard Lafortune, who said he would remain close to the operations of the organization in his capacity as the principal secretary for Transport, and incoming chairman Maurice Loustau-Lalanne.
Mr Loustau-Lalanne, who is also the chief executive officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board, noted that there is a lot of similarity in both aviation and tourism, and like the other officials, said that as visitor arrivals continue to increase, so will the volume of work for the SCAA.
“But we will continue to see that flights depart on time and in safety,” he said.
Speaking before the ceremony, SCAA officials said that Seychelles International Airport has since July 4, 1971 been the gateway to the country’s tourism industry and development, “welcoming visitors from all corners of the globe and providing the last memorable experience as they depart,” a duty they said the organization is very proud of.
They said that during the last 36 years, the airport has undergone several transformations to ensure that visitors and residents alike travel in comfort, safety and security.
“These transformations include the extension and renovation of the international passenger terminal which was inaugurated on June 29, 2006 by President James Michel.
“SCAA is committed to meeting the challenges put forward by the government’s strategy 2017 through new business development, improved facilities and security and customer service,” the authority’s chief executive officer, Gilbert Faure, said.
He said that the recent opening of a new Duty Free Shop, Kreolor and the opening of the Air Seychelles CIP (Commercially Important Persons) lounge, Salon Vallée De Mai jointly by Vice-President Joseph Belmont and the CEOs of Air Seychelles, Captain David Savy and Mr Faure will provide added quality service and facilities to the departing passengers.
He noted that two new baggage conveyor belts are currently being installed in the arrival lounge which will greatly improve baggage delivery and passenger convenience. Work to upgrade its VIP and VVIP lounges are also in progress.
“A new video security surveillance system is being installed to enhance the safety and security of airport users in line with international standards, particularly at a time when this issue has become a concern with recent developments in Europe,” Mr Faure said.
Reflecting this, SCAA recently commissioned the delivery of the first fire fighting and rescue boat of its kind in the region from South Africa as well as a new fire engine for Praslin Airport.
“These are but some of the improvements being carried out with more to be undertaken in the near future,” Mr Faure said.
He said that towards the end of this year, SCAA will be overseeing the renovation of the domestic terminal, with emphasis on improving the customer experience and security issues and that plans are under way to create more opportunities for businesses within the airport.