The Seychelles government plans to build an emergency alternate airport on Coetivy Island, according to Transport Minister Veronique Laporte.
Speaking about the project, Miniter Laporte said President Patrick Herminie recently led a delegation to Coetivy to assess whether the development could proceed.
The delegation included herself the Minister for Transport, representatives from Air Seychelles, and the Island Development Company (IDC).
“We went to visit Coetivy for us to see in principle if this can be done,” Minister Laporte said. “I am glad to note that yes it can.”
She said IDC had identified a suitable location for the facility and had already begun developing plans.
According to Minister Laporte, Coetivy already has an existing airstrip. However, she said extending the current facility would not be practical.
“There is already an existing facility there, a small one which is not long enough,” she said.
She explained that extending the current runway would require land reclamation into the sea.
Instead, authorities plan to use land on the eastern side of the island.
“There is a location on the east side of the island where it is actually poor land,” Minister Laporte said. “There are no beaches and it is not a nice area where people can do a development.”
She added that the government would use that section of land for the new airstrip.
Ms Laporte stressed that the project would serve as an emergency airport and not as a second international airport for Seychelles.
“It will be an airport for emergency purposes. It is not going to be a second airport,” she said. “This has to be clear.”
She said planners intend to build a facility capable of accommodating any type of aircraft.
According to the minister, the airport could provide a diversion option for aircraft operating in the region, subject to aviation rules and airline procedures.
She also said the development could benefit Air Seychelles by providing a closer alternative airport.
“At least for Air Seychelles we don’t need to go to Nosy Be where we will have to burn more fuel for us to get there,” she said. “Whereas Coetivy it is only 30 minutes away.”
Minister Laporte said construction could take between one year and 18 months.