Seychelles Secures Future Of Inter-Island Flights
After signing a fleet deal with Viking Air in Canada, Air Seychelles can now look forward to three new aircraft deliveries in 2015. The announcement, made at a press conference at Mahe International Airport, was made on the eve of the airline’s 35th anniversary. The new aircraft will replace the existing DHC-6 Series 300 Twin Otters and will form the backbone of a younger and improved Air Seychelles domestic fleet. The aircraft will be instrumental in securing the future of inter-island services as well as improving the outlook of Seychelles tourism and the local economy. Seychelles Airlines Seychelles Airlines were established in 1977 following a merger of Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways. The airline started international routes in 1983 with the first destinations being Frankfurt and London, and until 2012 was owned wholly by the Seychelles government. In February 2012, the UAE’s Etihad Airways, bought a 40% share making an investment of 45 million US dollars, and the airline began flights to Abu Dhabi as part of a restructuring plan. Through the connections with Etihad’s Airways, flights to Europe and China from the islands are now possible, allowing more visitors to enjoy Seychelles luxury holidays. Financial Constraints Now Released Although purchasing new aircraft has always featured heavily in governmental plans, the lack of funds meant that the islands had to rely on the existing dependable but elderly aircraft. The three existing Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 aircraft have been reliable but are well overdue for replacement, and the three new Series 400 aircraft will take over existing services. The current fleet offers more than 200 domestic scheduled flights a week as well as domestic charter services. Regular flights are made between Mahe and Praslin, as well as other islands within the archipelago. The new aircraft are designed to handle short sector flying and cope well with operating in humid and salty environments. Historic Year So far in 2013, Air Seychelles has introduced a second Airbus A330-200 aircraft, launched services to Hong Kong and, after witnessing a surge in the growth of domestic traffic, can proudly post its first profit in three years. Strong bookings going into next year point to the carrier being on the right track for a second successive year of profitability. This is great news for the islands, which are becoming increasingly reliant on tourism to boost the local economy. The hard work that has been invested in promoting the islands to international and local tourism partners seems to be paying off at last. We are a UK travel operator catering to all UK tourists who want to stay in a relaxing country for a few weeks away from home, or as part of a tour of the Indian Ocean region. Our Seychelles luxury holidays puts people where they want to be with all the activities they want to experience at the most competitive prices. |