Better services expected as new cargo terminal and customs building open |07 December 2013

Importers and members of the public will benefit with a more comfortable and efficient service delivery with the opening of the newly extended and refurbished cargo terminal and customs offices at the Pointe Larue International Airport.

It was Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan who unveiled the commemorative plaque during a ceremony held yesterday at the cargo terminal and customs building.

Attending the event were chief executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) Gilbert Faure, Commissioner of the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) Jennifer Morel, the assistant commissioner of the Customs Division Selwyn Knowles, chairperson of the SCAA board Captain David Savy and other members, general manager of the corporate affairs at Air Seychelles Alan Renaud, officials of the authority and the SRC.

The expansion and refurbishment of the facilities were needed to cater for the significant increase in cargo traffic over the last five years and to improve service delivery.

The newly extended customs building now provides adequate office space to accommodate more staff and to offer a more efficient service.

In his address, Mr Morgan said the promotion of excellent service delivery is a key priority for the government, hence customers’ aspirations and request for a better service were taken into account.

“The extended facilities amount to an overall increase of 85% in the warehouse and handling capacity, thus positioning Seychelles to significantly accommodate estimated growth in transhipped cargo,” he said.

It is expected that there will be an increase of about 65% in throughput cargo by 2020, he added.

Mr Morgan said this fits very well into the vision of transforming this facility into a regional cargo hub.

The cargo terminal has increased its warehouse capacity by 512 square metres for dry cargo imports and 133 square metres for export cargo.

An additional new import dry cargo delivery area measuring 367 square metres has also been built.

A new back office and customer service facilities have also been added at mezzanine level in the new dry cargo import area.

The new areas have made it possible to introduce separation between processing of inbound and outbound cargo in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) requirements as well as space for the installation of new cold and chiller storage facilities.

The entire project has cost R14.7m and has been funded by the SCAA.

Speaking at the event, Mr Faure said the Seychelles International Airport has reached a crucial momentum in its development whereby it needs to expand rapidly to meet the demands that it will face over the next few years.

“The cargo business is still largely untapped even if catered for in all air services agreements we have signed with many countries. This facility will be the catalyst needed to enable the cargo business to grow,” he said.

Mr Knowles said SCAA and customs are partners in business and have a good working relationship especially in the clearance of incoming and outgoing passengers and cargoes.

He expressed words of thanks to SCAA for having taken up this project, especially for funding it.

“Such improvements were needed to better help all partners operating in this area to better discharge their respective roles,” he added.

Mr Knowles called on the customs officers to give that little extra to better serve and meet the expectation and satisfaction of their clients.

Also speaking was Mr Renaud who briefed those present about what the development means to Air Seychelles.