Team Seychelles flies its National Airline to Réunion for indian ocean island games

Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, today operated two special charter flights to carry the Seychelles delegation participating in the Indian Ocean Island Games to the island of Réunion.

The Airbus A320 aircraft made the morning and afternoon flight to Roland Garros Airport at full capacity, with more than 260 Seychellois athletes, fans and government officials onboard, including Vincent Meriton, Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports, Antonio Gopal, President of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association and Giovanna Rousseau, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council.

Seychelles will compete against its neighbouring islands of Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte and Réunion in 14 different disciplines at the sports event, which takes place between 1 and 9 August. The Indian Ocean Island Games is held every four years.

Joël Morgan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Transport and Chairman of Air Seychelles, and Roy Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, met the athletes before the afternoon flight to wish them farewell.

Minister Morgan said: “As the national airline of Seychelles, we are pleased to be able to support these special flights for our national team and its loyal fans.

“We wish the athletes the best of luck and will all be cheering for them to take home gold in what is the biggest regional sports competition in the Indian Ocean.”

Mr Kinnear said: “We believe that sport plays an integral role in instilling positive values, and we are very proud that Team Seychelles chose Air Seychelles to operate these flights.”

Minister Meriton said: “We are all looking forward to the competition and know our athletes will make us proud.

“As the host country, Seychelles achieved phenomenal success in the 2011 games, winning an incredible 57 gold medals. Our aim is to match those fantastic results this year.”

Mr Gopal said: “Sport has a tremendous power in bringing communities together and promoting the spirit of friendship and fairness, which are values at the heart of the Indian Ocean Island Games.”