Air Seychelles announces new procedure for repatriation flights

• One-way special flights inbound or outbound of Seychelles for visitors and Seychellois residents wishing to return to their home country.
• New guidelines for passengers to follow during check-in, boarding, in-flight and upon disembarkation.

Air Seychelles has today announced that all passengers travelling on the repatriation flights will need to follow strict guidelines upon arrival at the airport, during boarding, in-flight and upon disembarkation, as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19.

As part of the new procedure, passengers will need to wear their own masks when at the airport and on board the aircraft at all times. In addition, guests will need to maintain social distancing during the check-in and boarding process as instructed by the guest service agent.

In order to optimise social distancing on board the aircraft, the airline will introduce a new seating plan with pre-allocated seats prior to passenger check-in. Passengers will need to maintain their allocated seats at all times with no further request to change seats upon check-in or in-flight.

A new sequence for boarding will also be implemented and guests will need to follow all instructions as per the announcement that will be conducted by the guest service agent on duty. Passengers will be advised to board the aircraft by rows, in a specific numerical order, as per their assigned seat.

In adherence with the guidelines from the health authorities, passengers will undergo a minimum of one temperature screening at the door prior to final boarding approval. To avoid physical contact with the cabin crew members, passengers will be required to only display their boarding passes to the cabin crew team for verification when boarding the aircraft.

In adopting good hygiene protocols, passengers will be directed to the sanitisers readily made available before locating their seats. Passengers will also need to handle and stow their own hand luggage in the overhead compartments.

Air Seychelles will offer a modified meal service on all of its repatriation flights. The pre-packed meal boxes and beverage for consumption during the flight, will be placed on the passengers’ seats in advance before the actual boarding of passengers commences.

During the flight, passengers will be allowed to remove their masks foe certian purposes. These include the consumption of food and beverages, if emergency oxygen is required, or in other safety and security situations. Note that alcoholic beverages will not be served on any repatriation flights.

Keeping in line with the measures against the spread of COVID-19, blankets will not be provided on the flights, hence passengers are requested to bring extra clothing or their own blanket for added comfort. For safety and security purposes, passengers will be advised not to proceed in the Business Class cabin and to limit their movement during the flight.

Prior to landing, the Cabin Crew members will pass through the cabin to collect any general waste. Passengers will need to refrain from making any physical contact with the crew member and delicately dispose their waste into the container provided.

Should a passenger experience COVID-19 related symptoms during the flight, the passenger will need to remain in their allocated seat and press the call bell for further assistance. A member of the cabin crew will tend to the passenger by strictly following the approved procedures set by the Seychelles Department of Health.

Upon landing, passengers will need to adhere to the disembarkation instructions as advised by the cabin crew and observe the health and safety measures set by the authorities at the country of destination.

Adapting to the ‘new normal’, all Air Seychelles cabin crew and ground staff will now wear masks and any appropriate personal protective equipment as necessary.

To ensure a smooth process throughout, passengers are recommended to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight. Passengers are further being advised to remain updated with the latest information regarding the procedure to be followed prior to and upon arrival at their country of destination.

Air Seychelles is expected to operate its first repatriation flight from Sri Lanka and Chennai in India, this coming weekend on Saturday, 23 May, 2020