New lounge with island flair opens at airport in Seychelles

The newly opened CIP lounge is one of four at the Seychelles' airport at Pointe Larue. (Joena Meme) 

(Seychelles News Agency) - AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort and Spa aims to enhance the experience of travellers going through the Seychelles International Airport after the recent opening of a new lounge. 

The chairman of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, David Savy, said that on average one million passengers pass through the airport of Seychelles each year on both domestic and international flights.

“The demand for this facility is beginning to be felt and the AVANI’s lounge is among the largest in the airport, giving passengers even more choice in terms of lounge,” said Savy.

The newly opened CIP lounge -- Commercial Important Person lounge -- is one of four at the airport and has the capacity to welcome 250 persons standing and 120 sitting.

The AVANI CIP lounge is among the largest in the Seychelles airport. (Joena Meme) Photo License: CC-BY

Called the CIP Payanke Lounge, after the Creole name of the white-tailed tropicbird, the lounge was officially opened on December 6.

The tourism minister, Didier Dogley, said that he is pleased that such a name was chosen as it reflects the uniqueness of Seychelles.

“It's a name that ties us to our history and even the carpet is shaped like a coco de mer. I'm sure this new facility will improve the airport in general,” said Dogley.

The General Manager of AVANI Seychelles Resort Barbarons & Spa, Stephane Vilar, said the decoration of the lounge was meticulously chosen to incorporate different components of Seychelles.

“We contacted local artists through the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry for products that are on sale in the lounge,” said Vilar.

Located above the current domestic terminal at the airport, the CIP Payanke Lounge is open to all travellers. In the first phase of the project, visitors have access to a playing area for children, showers and a restaurant which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at a cost of almost $40 for adults and $20 for children aged five to eleven.

The lounge also has a restaurant serving hot and cold dishes. (Joena Meme) Photo License: CC-BY

For lunch and dinner, guests can be served an array of salads, cold and hot dishes at $108 for adults and $54 for children aged five to eleven. A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also available. All meals are free for children under five.

The lounge operates daily from 6 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.

The second phase in the development of the CIP lounge will include a spa due to be operational in 2019.

Savy said that once renovations which are currently being carried out at the airport are completed, the Seychelles International Airport will change completely and the domestic and international terminal will be merged into one.