2022 Airport Master Plan review A timeline of 9 months to get the concept and projects approved |07 February 2022
(L to r) Minister Derjacques, CEO Albert, Chairman Orr and PS Renaud during the press conference (Photos: Thomas Meriton)
Following our article on the 2022 Airport Master Plan review published on Saturday, today we bring you the question time that the Minister for Transport, Antony Derjacques, had with the press on Friday.
The minister was accompanied by the principal secretary for civil aviation, ports and marine Alan Renaud, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) chief executive Garry Albert and SCAA board chairman Marlon Orr.
In its latest sitting last week, the cabinet of ministers approved for the revision and update of the 2009 Airport Master Plan using updated transport statistics, and trends and developments in the local and global aviation industry to guide changes.
The Press: What does the reviewed plan incorporate?
Minister Derjacques: Three recommendations were approved by the cabinet. We will now have a new plan based on a new concept. Cabinet approved to review the concept because of new data collected and the current needs of the airport. The reviewed plan include whatever is needed like a new terminal, a new VIP complex, an area for general aviation, a hotel at zone 21, a new marina on Zone 21 and we are also thinking of a passenger terminal for visitors towards Praslin and La Digue. We will also expand the duty-free area so that it becomes more commercial and more corporate like other countries. We are engaging ourselves in something more modern. We are also thinking of having a cargo terminal as we are already facing difficulties with our current facility. We also currently do not have a cold chain facility to retain the value added fish products for export and we have to plan for that. We all have seen the daily challenges we are facing at the airport and we need to move forward. Cabinet went a step further and asked us to develop some business modules. We are talking about a huge investment of US $50 million to US $100 million and to do this we will have to develop our investment plan with private investors. The timeline has been approved by the cabinet and now we will work on the review of the plan. This will be done in collaboration with experts.
The Press: The previous plan has been shelved for some 13 years, what assurance do you give to the population who are expecting changes with our airport?
Minister Derjacques: Yes it is true the 2009 plan was shelved. The airport was constructed in 1972 and now we have seen that we need to take care of the airport. It is our firm intention – the management, board and ministry – to move fast at a reasonable pace and to take into account all our needs. As we progress, together with the cabinet, we will come forward to provide the necessary information in a transparent and professional way. This government is here to deliver. Even if we are in a pandemic, we can still move forward with this project through public private partnerships.
Our assurance is also we have a President who wants us to deliver and he has his cabinet backing him up. What was missing in the past was the political will to deliver.
CEO Albert: For the last 15 years, the management of SCAA always pushed for developments to take place in line with the master plan. The objective of a master plan is to reduce the problems we are faced with. We had to move the fuel plant, increase parking for planes and reposition our terminal for private jets and cargo. What was planned in 2009, we are witnessing it happening now – increase in airplanes, increase in arrivals and increase in cargo. We acknowledge it is a mess and if we did what was supposed to be done in the plan, we would not have been in this situation right now. SCAA kept pushing forward, but we pushed back because of finance. SCAA could not afford such developments. We have to deliver for Seychelles. Seychellois travel a lot and we do get inspired by other airports. We took the engagement to bring the airport to a five-star capacity. Development in aviation is every year and we are already late.
Marlon Orr: The board also has a big role to play in making sure the projects are being implemented according to the national strategy. Seychelles is not a hub and our airport is dictated by the market. Our airport must be designed to accommodate at least four flights landing at the same time.
The Press: When will we see the implementation of the projects?
Minister Derjacques: As minister I will have to lead the process. With consultation with the experts, it will take at least three months to get the new concept on paper. After that we will negotiate with potential investors and already we are calling on interested partners to contact us. Once we get the business plan, we will have to discuss the financial package which will take a few more months. As a minister, I think in nine months from now we must have the modified concept, already engaged and negotiated the business models we will use and also know the source of finance. Once all these are done, we will go back to cabinet for approval. Then we will go through the various organisations to get everything approved. I assure you all in nine months, we will come forward with concrete decisions.
The Press: Our airport has a different feel, compared to many airports around the world and tourists like this open air checking area. Will this be maintained?
Minister Derjacques: Certainly. We spoke to many experts/architects who are specialised in small island states airport. We will not be doing something concrete and ugly. We will try to incorporate the concept Sun, Sea, Sand and Forest in our terminal. We are thinking of something representing the Creole spirit which is functional and up to the standard. Some airlines already advised us on what they want to see at the airport and with our local experts we are making sure that we will present a project that encompasses our culture and also a five-star rated airport. Our tourists receive five-star treatment wherever they go, so why not also at the airport?
Compiled by Vidya Gappy
