AIR SEYCHELLES ANNOUNCES RETURN TO PARIS AND ACQUISITION OF AN AIRBUS A319
(Posted 03rd December 2013)
In a breaking news development has Air Seychelles just announced their return to France with two flights to Paris-Orly starting in February 2014. The two weekly flights, using Air Seychelles’ Airbus A330-200, will route via Abu Dhabi and subject to regulatory approvals be operated under a code share with partner airline Etihad. These extra two flights will add to the double daily Etihad services from Abu Dhabi to Paris Charles de Gaulle.
The direct flights to Paris meet a key request of the Seychelles’ hospitality and tourism private sector as France is one of the archipelago’s most important market places from within the European Union.
The announcement came as part of a package of additional flights Air Seychelles intends to launch in 2014, supported by the acquisition of a new Airbus A319 due for delivery in October next year. The new aircraft will be deployed on the airline’s regional routes to the Indian Ocean islands and substitute the wet-leased A320 from Etihad Air Seychelles presently uses for their three weekly flights to Mauritius. New will be two direct weekly flights from Mahe to Antananarivo in Madagascar using the single aisle aircraft, combined with Reunion’s Roland Garros International Airport in the capital St. Denis. These additional destinations will connect two more of the Vanilla Island Organization members, establishing greater connectivity between the Indian Ocean islands to promote multi island holidays but also to support the growing trade links in particular with Reunion.
Air Seychelles will maintain their present flight schedule of three flights per week between Mahe and Johannesburg, using their Airbus A330-200 on the route to South Africa.
The launch of Mumbai flights, three times a week nonstop from Mahe, also using the Airbus A319, will connect another increasingly important market as more and more travelers from India are now visiting the Seychelles, underscored by the launch of the Seychelles – India Day celebrations three months ago.
Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ CEO, made the announcement and said on the occasion: ‘The new schedule will see Air Seychelles spread its regional footprint and build a solid position that will establish us as the carrier of choice in the Indian Ocean. It also greatly increases options for travel to and from the Indian Ocean, and with our new flights to Paris-Orly, we will also enjoy network feed provided by our convenient schedule times over Abu Dhabi, contributing to the bottom line’.
The new flight schedule announced yesterday afternoon will see the total number of Air Seychelles flights between Mahe and Abu Dhabi rise to 11, all using Airbus A330-200 equipment, with 6 flights terminating in Abu Dhabi, 3 continuing to Hong Kong and two continuing to Paris-Orly.
Together with the signing of a purchase agreement for three brand new Twin Otter DHC 6-400, reported here in Ocober, which will replace three of the ageing DHC 6-300 types on domestic routes, this latest development confirms that the ‘new’ Air Seychelles has concluded the restructuring process and has switched firmly to growth mode for 2014 and beyond, playing a center piece role in promoting the archipelago as the Indian Ocean’s most talked about tourism destination.
For more information on the airline’s schedule, fares, special offers and for bookings visit www.airseychelles.com
