Passengers flying to other islands of Seychelles have since yesterday been using part of the newly built Mahé Domestic Terminal at the Seychelles International Airport.
The spacious and modern facilities have been opened to passengers by the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), following the completion of the first phase of the project to construct a new Mahé Domestic Terminal.
Since yesterday, all operations for passenger and baggage arrivals and departures have shifted to the new building, the main entrance of which is found at the location of Skychef Restaurant and Air Seychelles ticket sales office.
Mr Eric Frost, Airport Manager (Terminal and Landside Operations) said operations started at 5:00a.m with the first domestic flight departure at 5:40a.m with 12 passengers to Praslin.
He added that the new fully air conditioned facility caters for more domestic traffic as well as providing enhanced comfort for passengers.
“SCAA has pulled all its resources together to ensure that passengers and members of the public in general are not affected by this transition.”
Mr Frost said signage have been placed to facilitate movement of passengers and ‘May I help you’ helpers can be found at the international terminal concourse, Skychef Restaurant and new Domestic Terminal to assist airport users.
On the ground floor of the two storey building, there are six Air Seychelles check in counters, Destination Management Companies’ desks, seats are also available for passengers waiting for check in. Also on this floor there is a new arrival and departure lounges, washrooms, souvenir shop and at a later stage new Food and Beverages areas. The first floor has operational offices and will eventually have a new CIP Lounge.
The old domestic terminal next to the Skychef Building is no longer functional and will be hoarded off soon for the second phase of the project. Works in this phase will consist mainly of construction of a new arrival area with modern baggage delivery systems, Air Seychelles Ground Services offices, facilities for other service providers and a spa on the first floor.
Some works on phase three are currently in progress consisting of a 360,000 litre underground water tank for storing rain water, a snack bar and additional concourse space where Skychef Restaurant will be relocated.
Further construction work will eventually be started at the actual Skychef Restaurants’ location, where new commercial area will be constructed to include banking services, left luggage facilities and other commercial outlets.
Construction work on this project is being carried out by Allied Builders, with Gibb (Seychelles) as consultant and is being fully funded by SCAA at a cost of SR75 Million. The project is expected to be fully completed by the end of July 2018.