Air Seychelles


Air Seychelles is the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles. Its head office is located at Seychelles International Airport on the island of Mahé and it operates inter-island and international flights and charter flights. The airline is currently 40% owned by Etihad Airways.

History

Establishment

The Seychelles government merged Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways, creating Seychelles Airlines, on 15 September 1977. Air Seychelles began domestic operations using Britten-Norman Trislander, Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander and later Short 360 aircraft. It was renamed Air Seychelles in September 1978. The airline began international routes in 1983 to Frankfurt and London.

Restructuring

In February 2012 the United Arab Emirates national carrier, Etihad Airways, invested US$45 million in Air Seychelles for a 40% share in the airline following problems of management and profitability. After operating at a loss for two years in a row, Air Seychelles planned to restructure and re-position itself to return to profit. The airline entered into codeshare agreements with Etihad Airways and started flying to Abu Dhabi in March 2012 to connect to Etihad Airways' network of destinations.
On 16 March 2012, Air Seychelles announced a two-year business plan including the renewal of its fleet, leveraging Etihad Airways equity partnership – known as Etihad Airways Partners, the introduction of Airbus A330−200 aircraft after over two decades of an all-Boeing fleet, increased frequencies to key destinations, and closer cooperation with Etihad Airways.
On 12 March 2015, Air Seychelles released their results for 2014, declaring US$3.2 million in net profits.

Restructuring

In January 2018, Air Seychelles announced the closure of its sole long-haul route, the return of its two Airbus A330 long-haul aircraft, and a focus on its regional network. The plan is aimed at ensuring the long-term profitability and sustainability for the airline, in response to rapidly increasing competition. Remco Althuis, Interim CEO, said, 'The launch of competing air services from Europe to Seychelles will significantly impact Air Seychelles' flights to and from Paris, which account for approximately 30% of total passenger revenue at the airline, making the route unsustainable.' The airline will refocus on its domestic and regional networks, with a reduced workforce.

Corporate affairs

Ownership

Air Seychelles was originally set up and owned by the Government of Seychelles, having purchased and grouped together several small aircraft operators under one company. Following problems of management and profitability, Etihad Airways acquired a 40 per cent stake in Air Seychelles in 2012, in a deal worth $45m.

Business trends

The key trends for Air Seychelles over recent years are shown below :

2012201320142015201620172018
Turnover 42.888.7106.9105.4
Net Profits 1.13.03.22.1
Number of employees 536629650727787725
Number of passengers 241352412523550455
Passenger load factor 506066
Number of aircraft 10107
Notes/sources

Services

Air Seychelles flights operated by an Airbus A320 have Business Class.
Air Seychelles VIP is a specialised facility offering services for VIP passengers, aircraft crew and aeronautical technical support, including fixed-base operation which is managed in conjunction with Royal Jet.
The Air Seychelles Plus Programme has been fully integrated into Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways since June 2012.

Destinations

As of January 2020, Air Seychelles serves the following destinations:
CountryCity/LocalityAirportNotesRef
IndiaMumbaiChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
IsraelTel AvivBen Gurion Airport
MadagascarAntananarivoIvato International Airport
MauritiusPort LouisSir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
SeychellesBird IslandBird Island Airport
SeychellesDenis IslandDenis Island Airport
SeychellesD'Arros IslandD'Arros Island Airport
SeychellesMahéSeychelles International Airport
SeychellesPraslinPraslin Island Airport
South AfricaJohannesburgO. R. Tambo International Airport
United Arab EmiratesAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi International Airport

Codeshare agreements

Air Seychelles has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Current fleet

, the Air Seychelles fleet comprises the following aircraft:

Livery

In October 2011, after nearly 25 years in the traditional red, white and green local colours with two white terns, Air Seychelles painted its first Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in the company's new colours. The colours used on the tail end are blue, green, red and white.