Taxi conundrum at Seychelles International Airport |08 September 2022
Taxis in the queue at the airport (Photo credit: Daniel)
● Seychelles Taxi Operators Association deplores anti-social behaviour
The Seychelles Taxi Operators Association is calling for order and discipline from taxi operators stationed at the Seychelles International Airport in Pointe Larue.
The call made yesterday by the association’s chairperson, Frank Kilindo, is to curb what he described as a series of anti-social behaviour at the airport.
In a phone interview withSeychelles NATION, Mr Kilindo said they have been observing some deplorable and appalling behaviour by some operators which are not acceptable and these involved mostly drivers who opt to stay at the airport overnight to cater for early morning arrivals.
“They sleep in their vehicles, smoke drugs and consume alcohol, some pee in bottles which is not hygienic at all and harass the housekeeping staff at the airport. Some even behave unruly and get into arguments,” he told Seychelles NATION.
Mr Kilindo said some also leave their cars unattended or sleep in their cars, which he said was not in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.
He further added that remaining in the queue overnight, prevents others from ever getting a spot at the airport.
“It was for this reason that the association decided to call for a meeting with the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), since they manage the place, to see whether we could find a compromise, on whether to allow them to stay here or not after normal working hours, when there are no planes landing,” explained Mr Kilindo.
However, he said the meeting was attended by only a few and they were unable to come to a compromise.
The Seychelles Taxi Operators Association has sent an official letter to the SCAA and the tourism department to outline these issues.
“We want them to come up with a concrete decision to sort out the matter once and for all as it is not good for our image and that we all get a fair share of the business,” said Mr Kilindo.
His views are shared by taxi operator Daniel who said he has observed these anti-social behaviour which have been going on for years now.
“It is disgusting when you see drivers sleeping in their cars, and at 2 or 3in the morning you see some rushing to the airport’s washroom with their toothbrush, some even in towels. Some even smoke in the washroom and this is not pleasant and they are killing our business,” said Daniel.
He proposed that since they are a licensed business they should be abiding by some strict regulations from the Seychelles Licensing Authority and how to behave at the airport, should be included in those regulations.
LH, who does not want to reveal his full name and has been a taxi operator for over 10years, is among those who leave his car in the queue at the airport and goes home to rest, as he lives nearby. He told Seychelles NATION that he comes back in time for the flights.
LHsaid SCAA states that they have to be attending to their cars at all times, and that is why the association has come up with this new rule.
“It is not hygienic to be sleeping in your car, and then to be attending to clients. We have had this laissez-faire attitude and now the association wants to change things and make it fair so that everybody can have their share of business at the airport,” saidLH.
For his part, Garry Souris, a member of the association, said he understands both sides – those who want to sleep in their cars and those who do not.
“We should balance the views and understand from both sides and come up with a compromise because yes they prevent others from doing business here but at the same time I understand they are used to working here so they do not want to leave any spot for others,” said Mr Souris.
Michel Albert has been in the business for over three decades and said he has written to various authorities in the past to complain about the matter but to no avail.
“My only comment is that I’m old school, and I work according to my license and I follow rules, law and regulations. I am not one who can say whether we should sleep in the car or not or leave our car in the queue or not, this will depend on the authorities because they are the ones issuing our licenses”.
Mr Albert, who has been a taxi driver for nearly 28 years, is also in favour of order and more discipline at the airport.
“SCAA has a board which says you must attend to your car, ready for hire so you cannot leave your car unattended as this is already an offence especially in line with ICAO rules, because in the event of a disaster you must be able to evacuate,” he said.
Contacted by Seychelles NATION, the SCAA said in a press statement that the authority occasionally consults with stakeholders about their operations to address issues at the airport.
“The taxi association has had continuous audiences with the SCAA management, whereby the need to use airport facilities properly is reemphasized at every meeting. The association was informed by SCAA that constant misuse will result in serious actions being taken,” the SCAA press statement said.
“While SCAA welcomes any efforts geared towards improving stakeholders’ operation at the airport, it has no affiliation to the audio circulated on social media,” the statement added.
Patsy Canaya