FLEET - Air Seychelles confirms dry lease of two A321-200NY(XLR)s

Air Seychelles (HM, Mahé) has confirmed it will dry lease two A321-200NY(XLR)s from SMBC Aviation Capital, with deliveries scheduled in 2028, as initially revealed in a recent interview with ch-aviation. The aircraft will come from the lessor's Airbus order book. The carrier plans to use the type to reach established tourist source markets and develop new destinations. Air Seychelles currently operates two A320-200Ns on regional routes from Mahé, alongside five DHC-6-400s on domestic services. It also wet leases one A330-300 from Hi Fly Malta.

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ROUTES - Air Seychelles has extended the Mahe – Paris CDG route to 31 May 2026, operating with A330-300 from Hi Fly (Portugal).

Images: Air Seychelles
 

ROUTES - Air Seychelles announced the launch of three weekly nonstop flights between Seychelles and Paris

Air Seychelles announced the launch of three weekly nonstop flights between Seychelles and Paris CDG, starting on 20 March 2026 with B787-9 on wet lease from Etihad (UAE).

AIR SEYCHELLES - A320NEO - S7-VEV

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Air Seychelles ends Dusseldorf service in Sep 2017

Air Seychelles yesterday (31JUL17) announced service cancellation for Mahe Islands – Dusseldorf route, launched earlier this year. The airline will operate last flight on 07SEP17 from Mahe, 08SEP17 from Dusseldorf. This route is currently served twice a week with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

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By Jim Liu

Air Seychelles adds maiden Airbus jet to local registry

Air Seychelles says it has completed the transfer of its first Airbus Industrie jet aircraft to the Seychellois civil aircraft register with A320-200 A6-EIA (cn 1944) now S7-AMI. The move marks the first such registration since Etihad Airways acquired a 40% stake in the carrier in 2012. The move back then lead to the retirement of Air Seychelles' last remaining in-house B767-300 jets.

Air Seychelles to resume direct flights to Europe in July

Air Seychelles will resume direct flights to Europe in July of this year, the country's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan, has announced.

The Seychellois national carrier will offer a direct 3x weekly Mahé to Paris CDG service on-board an A330-200, supplanting its current routing via Abu Dhabi Int'l.

Air Seychelles celebrates arrival of new airbus a320

Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, this morning celebrated a historic occasion as its first Airbus A320 touched down at Seychelles International Airport.

The aircraft, named “Amirantes” in honour of a group of coral islands discovered in the Seychelles archipelago in the 16th century, was welcomed by a traditional water cannon salute after landing at 9:30 am.

Its much awaited arrival was observed by President James Michel, Vice President Danny Faure, Minister of Home Affairs and Transport, Joël Morgan, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, Manoj Papa, other high-level government dignitaries, and officials from the tourism and aviation sectors.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the welcoming delegation was invited onboard for a tour of the aircraft before moving to the airline’s VIP lounge for a reception.

Mr. Papa said: “The arrival of ‘Amirantes’ is a truly special event for us that marks the beginning of an exciting new growth phase for our carrier.

“Our new Airbus A320 will be used to launch three new routes, including Mumbai, Dar es Salaam and Antananarivo, representing the fastest rate of expansion our airline has ever seen. We have been able to accomplish this incredible feat thanks also to the support of our equity partner, Etihad Airways.

“In addition to these new services, ‘the delivery of Amirantes’ will allow us to offer significant schedule upgrades on our existing network. From December, we will increase our weekly services to Abu Dhabi from 7 to 9 flights, move our Mauritius services to a morning departure, and enhance our services to Johannesburg with a convenient Saturday departure.

“The extra flexibility and convenience offered by this schedule will attract more business and leisure traffic to Seychelles, and enhance our connections to powerful emerging tourism markets as well as established ones.”

As part of the Airbus family, the single-aisle A320 shares the same cockpit design and several operational commonalities as its wide-bodied variant, the A330-200, allowing Air Seychelles to realize significant cost savings by utilizing the same award-winning cabin crew, pilots and engineers across both aircraft types.

The aircraft has a two-cabin configuration comprising 16 seats in Business Class and 120 seats in Economy Class.

Minister Morgan, who is also Chairman of Air Seychelles, said: “Watching the A320 descend on Mahé with our bold livery on its tail fin was a proud moment for all of us. It is the third Airbus to join our fleet in as many years, and I am thrilled by the opportunities it brings for our national carrier, as well as for the wider economy and the people of Seychelles.

“It will connect our archipelago to important new markets in the Indian Ocean, East Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, channeling new sources of trade and tourism through and beyond Seychelles, as well as improving regional air connectivity.”

Honouring the religious customs of the country, “Amirantes” was blessed during an interfaith service lead by Roman Catholic Bishop Priest Louis Agathine and Anglican Priest Danny Elisabeth. The blessing was followed by tours of the aircraft for the general public as well as tourism and trade partners.
 Air Seychelles

Aldabra, greeted by water canon upon its first return from Paris into the Seychelles

 Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles to return to Europe from July 2

29MAY2014 no comments or reactions Air Seychelles will return to Europe with a twice weekly Mahé to Paris CDG via Abu Dhabi Int'l service beginning July 2.

Air Seychelles to operate to Paris-Orly

Air Seychelles has announced it will launch flights to Paris-Orly, subject to regulatory approval, as part of a significant expansion to its international schedule.
The carrier has also introduced several new routes to its regional network.
From February, Air Seychelles will operate twice-weekly flights between Seychelles and Paris, via Abu Dhabi, with an A330-200.
The new services complement equity partner Etihad Airways’ existing double-daily services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), offering passengers more choice and convenient connections to the Etihad network.

Currently, the island carrier codeshares on 14 flights a week to Paris-CDG with Etihad Airways.

Air Seychelles also unveiled a new regional network plan, subject to approvals, which will see expansion of its operations in the Indian Ocean by the end of 2014, following the delivery of an A319.
Te plan includes the launch of regional services to Antananarivo, Reunion and Mumbia.

Services to Abu Dhabi will be increased from seven to 11 per week, offering a double daily service with Etihad Airways.

 The carrier will also operate three return flights a week to Hong Kong and Johannesburg.
Altogether, weekly international services will nearly double from 16 to 29 flights a week.

Air Seychelles' second A330 touches down in Mahé

Air Seychelles second Airbus A330-200, christened Vallée de Mai, this afternoon touched down at Seychelles International Airport, Mahé.

The aircraft made its first test flight in February and will now enter active service on Air Seychelles’ new international schedule, which includes new services to Hong Kong and increased frequencies to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg and Mauritius.

The Africation Aviation

Photos: Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles’ first Airbus A330 touches down in Seychelles

Air Seychelles today celebrated a momentous occasion as it welcomed its first A330-200 aircraft, named Aldabra.

The historic first flight, operating as HM019, arrived at Seychelles International Airport at 13:35 from Abu Dhabi.

Vice President Danny Faure and Minister Joel Morgan, Seychelles’ Minister for Home Affairs and Transport were present to witness a ribbon cutting ceremony by President James Michel, celebrating the arrival of the much-awaited aircraft.

The aircraft is named in honor of Aldabra island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Seychelles’ most remote and pristine islands. Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, is surrounded by a pristine marine environment, uninhabited and known for its distinctive fauna including the Aldabra Giant Tortoise.

Flying under the supervision of an Etihad Airways Captain and Training Pilot was Air Seychelles Captain Paul Belle, who has completed classroom and flight simulator training for the A330 aircraft at Etihad Airways Training Academy in Abu Dhabi.

Air Seychelles cabin crew, back in Air Seychelles uniform for the first time after completing A330 safety and service training in Abu Dhabi, filled the cabin with the airline’s signature Creole warmth.

Highlights of Air Seychelles’ A330 include enhanced in-flight entertainment with personal, on-demand systems at every seat, true lie-flat seats in Business class and refreshed menu design, as well as dine-on-demand personalized tray service in Business class.

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, who traveled on board the inaugural flight, said: “Today marks a historic moment, a turning point towards a brighter future. The A330 aircraft is not only younger and more fuel-efficient, but it also boasts excellent new product and services never before seen at Air Seychelles.

“To see our pilots and cabin crew again working proudly in uniform also shows how far Air Seychelles has come in a relatively short time. With our colourful aircraft livery and world-class service, we will bring the Creole spirit to every destination we fly to.”

Minister Morgan, who is also the Chairman of Air Seychelles, welcomed the aircraft on arrival, together with President Michel and Vice President Faure. Also present was a delegation of Ministers, government officials, VIPs, travel industry representatives and media.

Minister Morgan said: “To see the A330, emblazoned with Air Seychelles’ unique livery, touch down at Seychelles International Airport was a moment of patriotic pride for all Seychellois. Only three months ago, we announced that we would refresh the fleet by retiring our Boeing 767 and bringing in two Airbus A330s. We made a promise and it has been kept. I am thrilled to now welcome our first Airbus, Aldabra, to the Air Seychelles fleet and we look forward to watching it fly the Creole spirit for many years to come.”

Minister Morgan has praised Air Seychelles staff, past and present who facilitated the change process and conceded that it was arduous and stressful.

President Michel was hailed for his foresight, courage and vision in repositioning the national airline ahead of the great turmoil Indian Ocean airlines find themselves faced with. By giving Air Seychelles a head start and finding it a strong and excellent strategic partner, being Etihad Airways, the worst is behind it. The company has in record time modernized its fleet and right-sized its operation.

Air Seychelles will take delivery of a second A330-200 aircraft in January 2013, at which time flights to China will commence.

Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles adding ex-Jet Airways A330-200 shortly

Air Seychelles will shortly take delivery of its first ex-Jet Airways Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International A330-200 (c/n 751) to replace the various A330-200s wet-leased from parent Etihad Airways for its routes from Mahé to Abu Dhabi International and Johannesburg Oliver Reginald Tambo International .

Air Seychelles will retire its single B767-300ER S7-FCS by the end of April and then use A320-200s and A330-200s wet-leased from parent Etihad Airways for its routes from Mahé Seychelles International to Abu Dhabi International ,Johannesburg Oliver Reginald Tambo International and Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International until it takes delivery of its own A330-200s next year.