VALENTINES GIFT FOR ITALIAN SEYCHELLES FANS
Italians will be able to take their Valentine to the Seychelles on a new nonstop service when it was confirmed overnight that Italys Blue Panorama Airline will commence operations from Milan via Rome to Mahe on the 14th of February this year, following an agreement between the two countries over traffic rights. The initial single weekly frequency will be doubled to two flights a week from July onwards.
(STBs Alain St. Ange seen here with the Blue Panorama top management breaking the news)
The announcement comes hot on the heels of the Seychelles hospitality and tourism sector voicing their concerns over the impact of the sudden withdrawal of Air Seychelles flights from Milan and Rome, which left the important Italian market suddenly struggling for seats and with no more nonstop flights. Air Seychelles itself is in the final stage of concluding an extensive codesharing arrangement with Abu Dhabis Etihad, which will see the former destinations of London, Paris, Milan and Rome in particular seeing an HM flight number return, while more destinations across Etihads European network are also thought to be included in the deal to more extensively market the Seychelles. Seychelles Tourism Boards CEO Alain St. Ange was quoted to have said: The Hotels and Resorts in Seychelles are today offering rates that reflect an across the board range making Seychelles more accessible than ever before. The addition by the Blue Panorama Airline, an Italian Company on the Seychelles run, brings a new dimension of accessibility as they will provide new flight options from Italy to the mid ocean tropical islands over and above the twelve weekly flights by Emirates, seven by Qatar and four by Etihad.
