Helikopter Seychelles ngupaya nerusake penerbangan

Helicopter Seychelles, the Indian Ocean nation’s longest-established helicopter company, has announced plans to resume commercial flying operations. The Mahé-based business will re-establish services once it has received approval from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority.

A new management team has re-appraised customer needs and the company’s operations. It will offer day and night-time flying services to the inner and outer islands, as well as utility operations such as load-lifting, medical evacuation and fire fighting.

The company’s night-time operating capability will enable many early or late-arriving international visitors to be transported direct from the airport to their island resorts without the necessity of spending their first or last overnight in Mahé.

Initially, the company will reintroduce a six-seater twin turbine engine Agusta 109C, capable of safely operating into restricted landing sites, and two single turbine Bell 206 JetRangers.

The aircraft will retain the company’s popular red and white livery and famous sunset logo. Inside, passenger cabins will be supplied with free champagne, among other luxurious touches to match the expectations of the islands’ prestige guests.

A new Head of Operations, Captain Shaun Tinkler-Rose, from the UK, will head a small team of ex-patriot and local pilots, engineers and operational staff. He said: “Our service will be affordable but totally VIP and totally versatile — we’ll have the capacity to say ‘yes’ when we’re called on. That means day, night, in foul weather or fair.

Helicopter Seychelles will shortly be re-launching its website (www.helicopterseychelles.com) and has already recruited administrative and operational personnel.