(Seychelles News Agency) - Travellers flying from one Seychelles island to another can now experience better service with the opening of a more spacious and state-of-the-art domestic terminal at the Seychelles International Airport, Pointe Larue.

The main facilities have a larger floor area of approximately 6,100 square metres which include ground and first floor. New areas include check-in, baggage, arrival and departure lounge, drop off and pick up and security posts.

In his address at the opening ceremony, the chief executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), Gary Albert, said, “Today it is an important day for us at SCAA and the Seychelles airport because we are confirming to the island nation and the world at large that we are entering a new era in our aviation facilities.”  

The new terminal has also a Commercial Importance Person (CIP) lounge, spa, two restaurants and five shops. 

“Our domestic terminal is and will remain the gateway for the developments of our islands that are playing active roles in the economic development of Seychelles,” said Albert.

He added that the new terminal is geared towards providing choice which is “a needed concept we have embraced such that it ensures competition in price and service.”

The new state-of-the-art domestic terminal is more spacious. (Louis Toussaint) Photo License: CC-BY

The project which started in January 2015 took four years to be completed and has cost the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority $6.3 million (SCR 85.5 million).

The domestic terminal is a two-minute walk from the international terminal and is a gateway from the main island of Mahe to other islands of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.   

The chief executive pointed out that the authority has launched a tender for a pharmacy which will further diversify the products and services.

“Through our offerings, we aspire to provide some aspects of the city experience within our airport, especially for our local community,” said Albert.

The Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley, spoke about the importance of modernisation of infrastructures, especially in the tourism industry.

He said that over 60 percent of foreign visitors to Seychelles also travel to other islands.

“A significant number of these visitors connect directly to other islands for their vacation as soon as they land at the airport. Our airports have to remain innovative and provide high-quality services to travellers. We cannot be left behind,” added the Minister.

Tourism is the top contributor to the Seychelles’ economy and Dogley said that connectivity by air to discover the nation’s islands remains a unique selling point as a tourist destination.

At the opening ceremony, SCAA also launched its Seychelles International Airport’s brand and introduced its new logo. Winners of the first ever customer service award also received their prizes as a sign of recognition for their excellent contribution in the industry.

To remind the guest of the fact that the terminal is a facility connecting Mahe to other islands of Seychelles, a cultural display filled with nostalgic sounds, dance, music, poems, and videos was presented.  

The Seychelles International Airport opened in 1972, giving the country necessary air access for its development.