Outcome of 41st ICAO Assembly means more in Seychelles   |21 October 2022

The press conference: (L to r) Mr Labrosse, Mr Albert, President Ramkalawan and Mst Alan Renaud

The Seychelles delegation who attended the 41st International Civil Aviation Organisation assembly under the theme ‘Reconnecting the World’, are content with the outcomes, of benefit to the domestic civil aviation sector, and country in general.

As noted by Minister for Transport Antony Derjacques, Seychelles managed to finalise and sign a number of agreements at the event, including one which will see local carrier Air Seychelles commencing flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan as of January 2023.

“Kazakhstan is the richest country in Middle-Asia, and its economy is based on technology, hydrocarbons, oil and gas, and there are many people willing to visit Seychelles just as they visit the Maldives. Therefore, we expect that Air Seychelles, and in future, their airline Air Astana can come to Seychelles. It will bring us more tourists than what we are getting now,” Minister Derjacques noted.

The meet was also an opportunity for Minister Derjacques to formalise and sign an Air Services Agreement with Minister of Transport of Qatar Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, reaffirming the engagement to continue with plans to ensure commercial operations between the two countries, particularly to support the tourism focus. Seychelles already benefits from airlines operating between Qatar and Seychelles, and stands to benefit even further from technical support in the aviation sector and training opportunities for the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) staff, those of the ministry, as well as in ports, marine and land transport.

Additionally, Seychelles will in March 2023 receive Saudi Arabia’s Flynas, adding on to some 14 airlines currently operating the Seychelles route.

Clarifying other matters, Minister Derjacques noted that Emirates Airlines wishes to increase its flight frequency to Seychelles, and that while two South African airlines have been authorised by the South African authorities to operate flights to Seychelles, negotiations are yet to be finalised with local authorities and regulator SCAA.

Air link is however in discussion with Air Seychelles who are discussing a commercial agreement. Based on the agreement which Seychelles holds with South Africa, a South African airline may operate flights on the route.

Based on discussions and interactions at the triennial event, it is evident that Seychelles can develop and modernise its industry further, despite ongoing efforts to do so within the SCAA.

Asides from bringing more visitors to Seychelles shores, the delegation met with the Civil Aviation Ministry of India, to discuss plans by Seychelles  to improve air connectivity between Seychelles and India.  Currently, Air Seychelles is operating to Mumbai with permission conveyed by the Indian side. The request is for Seychelles to grow operations further in India to a new point in India, namely, Ahmedabad.

With regards to ICAO assistance, chief executive of SCAA Garry Albert highlighted the opportunities for Seychellois employees to undergo work attachment with the organisation, and assistance which they can provide towards improving safety and security standards at the Seychelles International Airport.

“Safety and security standards are ever-evolving throughout and over the years. It does not remain the same and is continually amended. As a small country with limited resources, ICAO is willing to offer us the support, and even if we agree to it in future, they can provide us with expertise to assist us to put in place programmes and policies, to ensure that we are azure with everything,” Mr Albert added.

The SCAA will in coming months be preparing for the intense ICAO audit in Seychelles either towards the end of 2023 or in 2024,

This year’s key message from the assembly is for the world to once again reconnect, for countries to reopen to allow tourists and businesses to reconnect, for which the civil aviation sector is a key component.

Also present for the press conference was principal secretary for civil aviation, ports and marine Alain Renaud, and general manager for safety and security regulations within the SCAA David Labrosse.

Laura Pillay