Follow us on:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

Airport revamp takes off |25 February 2005

Airport revamp takes off

 Increased traffic has necessitated a bigger terminal

The renovation will give the airport an entirely new look with a touch of Creole architecture, including a new roof similar to the airport on Praslin.

The R16 million project is being financed through nearly US $2 million from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), with the remainder covered by the Seychelles government.

The airport revamp was first announced by Vice-President Joseph Belmont – speaking as the Minister for Tourism and Transport – in January 2004. Work was slated to begin midway through 2004 but administrative procedures required through BADEA had postponed the start until recently.

Contractor Allied Builders officially signed the deal with the DCA on Wednesday for the project. The renovation work is expected to take 12-16 months to complete.

Preparatory work, such as erecting barriers around the site and dismantling the walkway that used to connect the international and domestic terminals, had already begun as early as last month.

Under the renovation plans, the departure lounge will more than double in size and is expected to host a new commercially important passenger (CIP) lounge, new toilet facilities, increased sitting areas and additional duty free shops. The departure lounge extension will include a second floor, but the added story will not carry over to the existing lounge due to structural limitations.

DCA chief Gilbert Faure cited the increasing number of flights to and from Seychelles with the influx of Qatar Airways and Emirates as one of the reasons for the expanded terminal. He said in the event of a flight delay during a busy schedule, the airport needed to be able to accommodate a large number of passengers comfortably.

Meanwhile, the arrivals lounge will be extended by 200 square metres to create more space for baggage claim, immigration and customs formalities.

Other aspects of the airport – like lighting and electrical systems – will be upgraded as part of the project as well. The conveyor system will be lengthened to cater for increased baggage and more on-site office space will be carved out for Air Seychelles.

While getting the project off the ground to begin with has taken some time, an even bigger challenge waiting for the DCA – at least until it makes way for the new Civil Aviation Authority announced by President Michel – will be to carry out construction work without disrupting existing operations and services at the airport.

“This is not going to be an easy project,” Mr Faure said.

According to airport management, authorities will work closely with the contractor on a daily basis to make sure the airport continues to run smoothly.

All parties involved with operations at the airport, such as tour operators and customs and immigration officers, are being asked to work together to accommodate travellers as much as possible, the DCA said.

 

» Back to Archive