London, England -- (SBWire) -- 04/20/2011 -- President James Michel has congratulated two Seychellois first officers, Paul Belle and Ronnie Ah-Shung upon their promotion to fully qualified captains on the B767 fleet of the national airline, Air Seychelles.

In a congratulatory letter sent to Captain Belle and Captain Ah-Shung, President Michel stated that through their hard work, perseverance and tenacity – they have proven that the sky is indeed the limit and through the many years of service rendered with Air Seychelles, they have established themselves as a role model for all young Seychellois.

“ We are immensely proud of your achievement , which is yet another victory for Seychelles. Your success also reflects the importance on investing in people for the future of Seychelles. We have always sought to place people at the centre of development , for it is through our human resource development that Seychelles will be able to rise to the challenges of our time” President Michel said in the letter.

Both Captain Belle and Captain Ah-Shung were presented with their aircraft commander’s bars by Air Seychelles Executive Chairman, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne
in a ceremony held at the national airline’s head office at Seychelles International Airport today. Senior management of Air Seychelles, including the Deputy CEO, Garry Albert and families of both captains were also present.

The two new Air Seychelles Boeing 767 Commanders successfully completed the Company Command Upgrade training programme on the 19th March 2011.

Captain Belle joined Air Seychelles domestic services in 1997 as a Trainee Pilot from his previous job as an Air Traffic Controller with the then Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA). A year later, he enrolled for a commercial pilot’s licence with multi-engine instrument rating and aviation training at the 43rd Air School in Port Alfred, South Africa. Upon his return he flew the Twin Otter aircraft on the inter-island routes.

In 2001, Paul was transferred to International Flight Operations as a trainee First Officer on the B767. He did his initial training and B767 type rating at the Pan Am International Flight Academy in USA.

Paul earned his Airline Transport Pilots Licence in the USA. He was successful in his application for command training this year and promoted to captain after 14years service with Air Seychelles.

Captain Ah-Shung joined Air Seychelles in 1998 as a co-pilot on the Twin Otter . He gained command of the Twin Otter a year later. He was also the airline’s line training pilot for domestic operations on the inter-island routes. In 2001, Ronnie was transferred to International Flight Operations as a First Officer on the B767. He did his initial training and type rating in Miami in USA.

Ronnie earned his Airline Transport Pilots Licence in the USA and successfully completed his application for command training this year and promoted to captain on the same day as Captain Belle.

Both Captain Belle and Captain Ah-Shung, later followed extensive line and simulator training and checks under the supervision of Air Seychelles flight training Instructors.

Speaking on this achievement, the airline’s Executive Chairman Maurice Loustau-Lalanne has said: “ We have once again invested in two young Seychellois to take command of a B767 aircraft and this makes both our country and our people proud. This clearly demonstrates our policy whereby we make available training opportunities to encourage more young Seychellois men and women to take up careers as pilots”.

To date, Air Seychelles currently employs 40 Seychellois pilots and first officers, 7 of which are foreigners and some 150 Seychellois flight attendants.