‘Air Seychelles VIP’ inaugurated |26 October 2013

Since July this year Air Seychelles has been operating a new VIP service for private jet passengers at the Seychelles International Airport, in association with Dubai-based Royal Jet, the current world leader in the private chartered flight business.

The ‘Air Seychelles VIP’, as the five-star facilities have been called, was inaugurated on Thursday evening by the chief executive officer of Air Seychelles Cramer Ball.

Also present were former President James Mancham, Vice-President Danny Faure, ministers, judges, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Royal Jet, Air Seychelles staff, among other invitees.

Mr Ball has said that the new Fixed Base Operator, or FBO as it is known in aviation technical terms, will contribute greatly to Seychelles’ economy especially that it has the advantage of being situated close to the airport tarmac.

«Seychelles’ economy is to benefit from another important source of revenue as some operators will only go to destinations with an airside FBO. The fact that it is airside contributes greatly to privacy and security. This FBO is one of the few airside FBOs in the world and it will definitely put Seychelles on the world map as a luxury travel market,” Mr Ball said.

He added that Air Seychelles VIP will not only offer comprehensive passenger service, but will also contribute to Seychelles’ tourism growth.

“This is more than just an opening. Air Seychelles VIP will permit operations for private jets with twenty- four hours and seven days a week all round service which will include catering, communication, entertainment, engineering, refueling, customs, immigration, etc. in the comfort of a high quality luxury lounge. With this five-star service, we are also targeting twenty percent growth in private jets movement in Seychelles. This represents great business for Seychelles,” the CEO concluded.

The VIP service, which has been described in the Air Seychelles and Royal Jet entourage as a first for Seychelles and the best in the region, is situated in the airport’s VIP area and boasts newly renovated and fully equipped lounges which can cater for fifty-five passengers at one time.