Seychelles International Airport (IATA: SEZ, ICAO: FSIA), also known as Aéroport de la Pointe Larue in French, serves as the international gateway to the Seychelles. Located on Mahé Island, near the capital city of Victoria, the airport is a crucial hub for both international and domestic flights.
Seychelles International Airport. Source: Wikipedia
Location and Accessibility
The airport is situated 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) southeast of Victoria and is easily accessible via the Victoria-Providence Highway. This strategic location makes it convenient for travelers to reach various destinations on Mahé Island.
History
The Seychelles International Airport was officially opened on March 20, 1972, by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, Wilkenair of Kenya had already initiated a ferry service between Mombasa and Mahé (via Diego Suarez in Madagascar and Astove Island) using a twin-engine Piper Navajo the previous year. This service operated weekly to the Seychelles.
East African Airways followed in November 1971, and Luxair in December of the same year. A BOAC Super VC10 was the first jet aircraft to land at Seychelles International Airport on July 4, 1971. At the time of its opening, the airport featured a 2987-meter runway and a control tower.
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In 1972, John Faulkner Taylor and Tony Bentley-Buckle established Air Mahé, the first local aircraft company, which operated a Piper PA-34 Seneca between Praslin, Fregate, and Mahé Islands. This aircraft was later replaced by a Britten-Norman Islander. By 1974, over 30 airlines were serving the Seychelles.
Substantial expansion works began in July 1980, and due to the continuous increase in passenger traffic, a terminal building was constructed to accommodate an additional 400 arriving and 400 departing passengers simultaneously.
In 1981, the airport was the site of a gun battle during the Seychelles affair, where British national Mike Hoare led a team of 43 South African mercenaries disguised as holidaying rugby players in a coup attempt.
The years 2005 and 2006 marked further development in civil aviation in the Seychelles. The Civil Aviation Authority Act was enacted on April 4, 2006, leading to the corporatization of the Directorate of Civil Aviation into the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority. Works also commenced to upgrade and extend the terminal building, enabling it to handle at least five medium to large jet aircraft (e.g., Boeing 767 or Airbus A330) and six smaller jet aircraft. Additional parking areas were created to the north-east of the airport for charter, business, and long-stay aircraft.
Terminals and Services
Seychelles Airport (SEZ) features two modern terminals: the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal.
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- International Terminal: Handles all international arrivals and departures.
- Domestic Terminal: Serves over 170 weekly flights to Praslin Island, facilitating easy connections for international arrivals.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals. The SSID of the network is “WeFree”.
Basic Services: Seychelles International Airport has clear signs in English and French.
Airlines and Destinations
Air Seychelles, the flag carrier, is the largest operator of flights at the airport. The airport also hosts several airlines that operate seasonal flights to various destinations.
Some of the destinations served by airlines operating at Seychelles International Airport include:
- Abu Dhabi
- Colombo-Bandaranaike
- Johannesburg-O. R. Tambo
Ground Transportation
Getting to and from Seychelles International Airport is convenient, with several transportation options available.
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- Bus: Frequent bus services connect the airport to the bus station in Victoria. Buses run every 20-30 minutes between 05:30 and 19:30.
- Taxi: Taxi ranks are located outside the terminal, providing service to all locations on Mahé Island. Official taxis use meters, with a typical fare to Victoria costing around 300 SCR for a 20-minute journey.
- Car Rental: Several car rental companies operate at the airport, including Hertz, Sixt, Thrifty, and local companies.
Passenger Facilities and Amenities
Seychelles Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities to enhance the travel experience.
- Food and Beverage: While options are limited, you can find Cafe Paradiso and Burger King in the departure hall.
- Lounges:
- Vallee De Mai Lounge: Located in the International Terminal, offering light meals, drinks, and comfortable seating.
- VIP Lounge: Reserved for eligible fliers in the VIP area of the airport.
- Payanke Lounge: Situated in the public area of the Domestic Terminal.
- Duty-Free & Shopping: Duty-free shopping is available airside.
- Currency Exchange: Barclays Bank provides standard banking services in the morning and currency exchange in the afternoons.
- Medical Services: Available at the airport.
- Luggage Wrapping: Seywrap offers baggage wrapping services.
- ATMs: Three ATMs can be found Landside, outside the concourse area.
Showers: Showers are available with separate facilities for men and women. The shower room is located in the main concourse. Showers are also available in the Lounge.
There are tourist information desks at the airport.
Sleeping at Seychelles Airport
If you find yourself with a layover or overnight sleepover, Seychelles Airport offers some options for resting. While there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones, some travelers have found lie-flat wooden benches in the open-air landside area.
For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle services.
Safety Tips for Sleeping in the Airport:
- Know the location of the security office.
- Stay near other travelers or security.
- Hide your valuables.
- Stay alert.
Power Outlets: There are a few power sockets available.
Additional Information
In 2024, Seychelles Airport handled a little over 420,000 passengers.
Contact Information: We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers.
Airport Operations
The airport has been home to unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the United States Air Force and possibly the Central Intelligence Agency for operations over Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Passenger Statistics
Here's a look at the passenger statistics from previous years:
| Year | Passengers |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 420,000+ |
| 2012-2013 | Data Unavailable |
| 2012 | Data Unavailable |
| 2010 | Data Unavailable |
| 2009 | Data Unavailable |
| 2008 | Data Unavailable |
| 2007 | Data Unavailable |
Seychelles international airport : The Airport
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