Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of the Seychelles, today launched new direct services from Mahé to Abu Dhabi, complementing air links currently being operated by Etihad Airways on the route.
The two-class Boeing 767-300ER series aircraft was seen off from Seychelles International Airport by Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, local tourism and civil aviation officials and a lively group of Seychellois artists and dancers.
The launch of the new service follows the move in January by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, to take a 40 per cent stake in the Air Seychelles.
There are now six return flights a week linking Abu Dhabi and the Indian Ocean archipelago - two by Air Seychelles and four by Etihad Airways - with plans to introduce a seventh service from June 2012.
Air Seychelles will offer 856 seats per week in addition to the 1,088 seats offered by Etihad Airways on its Airbus A320 flights.
The joint flight schedule enables optimal connectivity over Abu Dhabi to Etihad's worldwide network, linking the Seychelles to destinations across Europe, the Far East, Australia, Indian Subcontinent and the Gulf region.
Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, said: "This inaugural flight to Abu Dhabi is the next logical step in growing our relationship with Etihad Airways and the first big step in setting Air Seychelles back on the path to profitability.
"Reaching into the Gulf region and beyond will further stimulate the local tourism industry. The Seychelles is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and the extra flights will help ensure the recent record growth in visitor numbers continues.
"Air Seychelles is well-positioned to leverage that demand into commercial growth, particularly by tapping into Etihad Airways' rapidly expanding global network."
Flight schedule
About Air Seychelles
Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles began long-haul operations in 1983 and has been a pillar of the islands' primary economic activity, tourism. Likewise, it is the primary domestic airline offering connectivity to popular tourism establishments in the archipelago. Air Seychelles is an IATA member and holds both IOSA and EASA certification. For more information, visit www.airseychelles.com
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad serves 84 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. Etihad also owns nearly 30 per cent of airberlin, Europe's sixth largest airline, and 40 per cent of Air Seychelles. For more information, please visit: www.etihadairways.com.
© Press Release 2012
