The civil aviation industry in Seychelles has undergone major transformation in recent months; the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has been restructured into two distinct and independent entities. This strategic restructuring is in line with the standard from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which advocates for a clear separation between regulatory bodies and service providers.
It would ensure that the SCAA as the regulator is independent of the organizations which it regulates, strengthening impartiality and transparency and promoting good governance.
The SCAA, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Garry Albert, remains in place as the regulatory body responsible for overseeing all civil aviation activities within the sovereign territory of Seychelles. Its core mandate is to ensure that aviation operations are safe, efficient, economic and fully compliant with both international and national standards. As part of this realignment, the SCAA has relinquished all airport operational responsibilities to the Seychelles Airports Authority (SAA), the new entity, and now functions exclusively as the regulator.
The new entity, the Seychelles Airports Authority (SAA), under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Colin Chang-Tave, is responsible for managing, developing, and administering Seychelles’ airports, as well as delivering associated aviation services. The SAA oversees the day-to-day operational management of airports, air navigation services, the development and maintenance of aviation infrastructure, and ensures the commercial viability of airports under its management.
As the designated regulatory authority, the SCAA also ensures that the SAA complies with applicable national and international regulations, particularly those derived from the ICAO.
This separation was formally enacted on January 1st, 2025, following the assent of the SCAA Act and SAA Act respectively by the President of Seychelles in August 2024, and their official gazetting on December 30th, 2024. The transition was completed through the signing of three statutory instruments by the Minister for Transport, which established the commencement of the two authorities and provided for the legal transfer of assets and responsibilities from the former unified structure.
By aligning with ICAO’s international standards, Seychelles is reinforcing its commitment to a safe, secure, and efficient aviation environment—one that is transparent, accountable, and prepared to meet the evolving demands of global air transport.
