Seychelles and France modernise air service agreement |26 June 2017

An air service agreement was signed recently in the French capital, Paris, between the Aeronautical Authorities of the French Republic and the Republic of Seychelles to enhance aviation relations between the two countries.

France being the traditional tourism market and the main one over many years, the signing was one which was significant for both countries having shared a historical past, and fruitful relations over the years.

The meeting was also a platform where both delegations emphasised the need to strengthen the economic and cultural cooperation, in particular in the framework of the Indian Ocean Commission.

The Seychellois delegation was headed by Gilbert Faure, the chief executive of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA). He was accompanied by Florence Marengo, head of air transport at SCAA and Alan Renaud, general manager alliances, revenue management, & aero political & public affairs of Air Seychelles.

The new commercial arrangement is one that is historical, in the advancement of air services between France and Seychelles, as other than Air France, Air Seychelles and Air Austral it has now been extended to cater for the French carriers, EWA Air and Corsair to operate on this route. This will allow those two airlines to avail themselves of this new commercial opportunity.

The agreement also makes provision for each side to operate 7 weekly passenger flight frequencies on the specified route, and unlimited cargo flights facilitating trade between the two countries.

The new agreement has also significantly enhanced traffic rights flexibility within the region by including Mayotte within the framework and allowing the airlines to design itineraries that include destinations in Mauritius, Comoros, or Madagascar as intermediate or beyond points.

The airlines of France and Seychelles were also encouraged to work together to build connectivity between the two countries, and to facilitate the cooperation, a new clause was included to allow airlines of each country unrestricted codeshare access to the networks of airlines of the other party.

CEO Faure said: “The most important aspect of our discussion in Paris was the potential economic benefits of such advanced cooperation, between the airlines of Seychelles and France. Both will now be extending their reach on their combined network beyond France and French Territories, be it within the Indian Ocean region, in Europe as well in North America.”

Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine also conveyed his support. “This agreement is one that is vital for Seychelles, as it aims to promote and facilitate air access development, not only between France but also with the other French departments and territories, particularly in the Indian Ocean. The new arrangement goes a long way to move forward with our ambitions within the auspices of the Indian Ocean Commission, for improved air access possibilities with at least one flight a day connecting Seychelles with all the islands of our Indian Ocean region, including La Reunion, Comoros, Madagascar and Mauritius.”

The previous air service agreement between the two countries was concluded in 1979. Seychelles have always been a favourite destination for French tourists recording last year alone a total of 43,003 French passengers landing on our shores.