Aviation authority hosts lively public display |09 December 2010

The event was held to mark International Aviation Day, which is observed around the world on December 7 to generate awareness of the importance of civil aviation in a country’s social and economic development. It has been celebrated annually in Seychelles since 1996.

The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) organised the exhibition – under the theme Safe, secure and sustainable aviation for our planet – so the public could learn about its role, services and achievements.

Stalls set up in the car park of the domestic terminal gave out information on the various sections, with staff on hand to offer further explanations.

The displays included business development, telecommunications and information technology, air navigation services, safety regulations, airport management, fire and rescue services, and equipment used on a daily basis was also on show.

Visitors were given guided bus tours of the SCAA’s facilities at the Pointe Larue airport, such as the fire services base, as well as the helicopter base and the US military base, which is helping out in the fight against piracy.

They also saw aviation equipment used to communicate with airborne planes, took a bus ride on the runway and watched from as close as safely possible as planes landed and took off.

Opening the event, SCAA chief executive Gilbert Faure said civil aviation not only provides access to the country but is also the channel for tourism growth, creates many jobs and generates revenue not only for the authority but other stakeholders including Air Seychelles, the Seychelles Petroleum Company, taxi drivers, tour operators, labourers, banks and many more.

“I must emphasise that without a safe, secure aviation environment, Seychelles would not be in a position to enjoy sustainable socio-economic development as it is today,” he said.

“Civil aviation also faces a global threat of being used as a weapon of mass destruction, but through the leadership of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao), we have to do our fair share to ensure this does not happen.”

He added that with the scourge of piracy affecting sea transport, it has become even more vital to ensure the continuity of international civil aviation.

This year’s aviation day message from the president of the council of Icao, Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, was also read out.