diversionary airfileds for seychelles

[antonotty]

can someone advise on the diversions that are used for seychelles international airport located at mahe islands for a b 737 class of aircraft

[four engine jock]

2 Hours Island Holding

[gehenna]

Mombasa or Mauritius

[cavortingcheetah]

Armed with a PET, a PNR and a two hour island hold, there might always remain the possibility of a little sideshow to Diego Garcia where the runway is sufficient for a B737 and the control facilities quite competent to handle most eventualities.
What the question begs is the flight plan filed alternate for arrival or, perhaps in rare circumstances, what's the flight plan alternate for departure.

[The Ancient Geek]

There are plenty of airstrips in the seychelles, the problem is that they are all just about long enough for the Twotter or a Caravan on a good day.

In a 737 whichever way you look at it you are a long way from any viable alternate so you need to start out with enough fuel to turn around and go back home.
Probably a good idea to stop and tank up at somewhere like Mombassa before heading out to sea.

[ian16th]

Air Austral fly from Reunion to Mahe using B-738.

Ask them what they do.

Air Austral ® - french airline in the Indian ocean (http://www.air-austral.com/en.html)

[caiman27]

Is Gan large enough? Some 550 km south of Mahe and a lot closer than Diego Garcia.

[cavortingcheetah]

I do believe it would be although I wouldn't want to track south to get there.
But-what's the reality on an SA/Air Sez/Etihad flight plan? That's the gist of the question.

[kibz2005]

Moroni? Dzaoudzi? They are closer than Mombasa, but still kind of far

[gehenna]

For EK it varies from Mombasa and Mauritius; I guess weather is a factor in deciding which we are given as first choice.

[SlatsINOP]

Nosy Be
2300m*45m
Its about 740 Nm from Mahe.
Well sufficient for the 737

[Sop_Monkey]

Never liked "Island hold". If I'm given that I feel I could be backed into corner should things go wrong. e.g., single R/W, someone prangs on that RW. Where you gonna go?

Khartoum, before Port Sudan was shifted was the same. Island hold in the winter the bean counters deemed adequate. BS.

Gan Island would be better than nothing, as it used to be an RAF base until the mid to late '70's. The officers mess is now the airport hotel. I little bit of interesting but useless information.

[ian16th]

The officers mess is now the airport hotel. I little bit of interesting but useless information. I haven't been there in its civilian guise, but someone who has, told me that it was the former Sgt's Mess that was now the hotel.

Whichever, I bet they are not serving Gan Juice!

[Sop_Monkey]

Oh I stand corrected. Admittedly when I was there 2010 it did look basic.

[cavortingcheetah]

A trusted source at SAA confirms:
2.00hrs island holding plus .45 minutes remaining in tanks on landing.

[Sop_Monkey]

Island hold means, you are committed to land at your destination, whether you have 2 hours fuel or 2hrs 45mins. It maybe legal but it doesn't mean to say it's safe.

Bit like the legal minimum fuel to be carried. Not always enough, especially around certain parts of Africa.

[The Ancient Geek]

And if the flight in front of you has a gear failure on the runway ?:ugh:

[FERetd]

Would Antananarivo or Reunion be of any use?

Used to go to both in a 707.