Turkish Airlines plans to launch operations into the Seychelles in approximately two years

The Seychelles Minister responsible for Air Transport has confirmed in an open letter in the Seychelles newspaper, “Today,” that Turkish Airlines plans to launch operations into the Seychelles in

The Seychelles Minister responsible for Air Transport has confirmed in an open letter in the Seychelles newspaper, “Today,” that Turkish Airlines plans to launch operations into the Seychelles in approximately two years’ time and that the route to Seychelles is part and parcel of the airline’s 2020 plans.

Minister Joel Morgan was using the open letter to table his government’s air strategy.

The Minister wrote:

Reference is made to the “contributed” article which appeared in the Business page of the TODAY in Seychelles Newspaper, dated Monday 15 April 2013, entitled “Turkish Airlines expands – Seychelles still not on its route map.” The Turkish Airlines is indeed rapidly growing and with that, adding new routes, products and services. We have no argument there and it is the reason why when we here in the Seychelles were approached by our Turkish counterparts, we were very receptive.
In replying to the article, we wish to remind your readers of the points made by the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, through a letter to your newspaper on March 22, 2013, which was subsequently published, pointing out certain erroneous points which again related to Turkish Airlines and Seychelles as a destination.

We have as well taken note and quote the following from your article, “Is the Middle East ‘hubbing’ policy, still the protective modus operandi of the Ministry of Transport?” a question which we feel has been incorrectly worded to imply that the Ministry of Transport practice a protective operation towards the Gulf States where “hubbing” is concerned. The decision for our national carrier to enter into a strategic alliance with an airline which “hubs” at a major facility does not imply any protection by the government as far as that business approach is concerned. Seychelles continues to be a welcomed destination for the airlines that fly directly into the country, while those “hubbing” out of their own facilities are also equally welcomed. We wish to remind your readers that Seychelles’ air transport policy currently reflects today’s modern operating environment, which includes:

-Flexible provisions on ownership and control

– Multi-designation of airlines, that is, many airlines from one country can operate the air services to Seychelles

– Liberalized traffic rights, in some cases up to fifth freedom traffic rights, – Open route schedules, allowing airlines with all the flexibilities to operate to Seychelles via any intermediate points (countries) and any points beyond

– Fully liberalized code-share provisions, permitting airlines to cooperate in the operation of the route between themselves and with any other airlines

– Aircraft leasing provisions, allowing for operations of aircraft which may be leased (dry or wet) from other companies. This is practiced by many airlines today and our operating environment ensures the flexibilities are already built in.

– Weekly capacity which is generally liberalized, allowing up to twice daily operations with any type of aircraft as a starting point, with possibility to liberalize further as the airlines operations grow. As an example, today Emirates Airlines has the flexibility to operate with a B777 and even a B747 if they wish to.

– Fair competition which is also an important element of our air services agreements, to ensure there is a level playing field for all airlines to compete fairly and with transparency. We would as well again stress on the following when specifically referring to Turkish Airlines and Seychelles as a destination for that airline:

1. That an Air Services Agreement was initialed with the Turkish authorities when SCAA met with them during the ICAO Air Services Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in December 2012

2. During the same meeting, Turkish Airlines informed us of their plans to launch operations into the Seychelles in approximately two years’ time and that the route to Seychelles is part and parcel of their 2020 plans

3. Contrary to what was reported, Turkish Airlines also does not at this point in time operate to Mauritius

4. From discussion with the airline, they informed the SCAA that they did not have the equipment (aircraft) to operate immediately to the Seychelles, whereas Seychelles was keen to have them start operations as soon as possible. The Ministry of Transport can confirm that it welcomes all approaches by airlines wishing to fly to the Seychelles directly or otherwise, that it considers all such proposals in a businesslike approach, weighing the benefits for the airline making the proposal, as well as the benefits for Seychelles, which includes as well, the positive synergies that can be gained for our national carrier, Air Seychelles, as part of the process.

We thank you for the space provided, assuring one and all, including the author of the contributed article, that our aviation approach and the strategy used, is one which carefully considers and supports the need for the continued growth of our air transport sector.

Yours sincerely,
Joel Morgan

About the author

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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