IDC adds new 19-seater Beechcraft to fleet of airplanes

​A third 19-seater Beechcraft airplane worth US $2.8 million has been added to IDC’s fleet of aeroplanes.
S7 ALP, names after Alphonse island, arrived in the country earlier this month from South Africa.
A ceremony to welcome the plane was held this morning at the IDC Aviation hangar at Point Larue.
Present for the ceremony were Vice President Ahmed Afif, Minister for Transport Antony Derjacques, IDC chairman Patrick Berlouis, Chief Executive of IDC Glenny Savy, Chief Executive of Al- Salaam Bank Asim Kumar, IDC board members and Aviation staff.  
S7 ALP was bought in the United States of America (USA) following an upgrading maintenance of its cockpit and mechanical system. From there it flew to South Africa for internal refurbishment and painting in the IDC aviation colours.
In an interview after the ceremony, Mr. Savy claimed that for the further development needs of the outer islands, a third such aircraft was needed. He also claimed that as a result of the increase in the number of flights to the outer islands, the third aircraft would be handy in the case when another is undergoing maintenance works.
In his remarks the General Manager of IDC Aviation, Captain Marcus Labrosse said in view of continued development and activities happening on the islands, IDC has plans in the near future to replace the three Beechcrafts with a more comfortable and larger capacity fleet of ATR-42 aircrafts fabricated by a European company associated with Airbus.
In his speech to mark the occasion, Minister Derjacques said the new Beechcraft marks another milestone in IDC’s development.
“This shows that there is a thirst to continuously improve connectivity between our islands as well as our country to the world,” Minister Derjacques said, noting that IDC has been a significant contributor to the economy and foreign exchange earner.
The new Beechcraft was blessed by Deacon Louis Agathine from the Catholic Church after which the guests were invited for a tour on board.
The IDC bought its first Beechcraft in 1998 and a second in 2018. The fleet of aircraft also comprises a Dornier and a Y-12.