Since its inception, Air Seychelles has been instrumental in connecting the Republic of Seychelles to the rest of the world, bridging the gap for this remote island nation in the heart of the Indian Ocean. The airline has evolved into a symbol of national pride for the East African archipelago, known for its stunning beaches and unique biodiversity.
Ready for takeoff? Let’s depart into the world of this East African airline. Here are 10 key facts about the Air Seychelles, covering topics such as its history and current operations.
1. When was Air Seychelles founded?
The airline was created in 1977, with the Air Seychelles name being established the following year.
2. National flag carrier
Air Seychelles proudly serves as the flag carrier of the Republic of Seychelles and is the only commercial airline based in the island nation.
3. Air Seychelles is based at Seychelles International Airport
Air Seychelles is based at Seychelles International Airport, located on Mahé, the nation’s largest island.
Notably, the airport was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in March 1972.
4. The airline is state-owned
The government of the Republic of Seychelles owns Air Seychelles.
5. Etihad Airways acquired a 40% stake in Air Seychelles
In February 2012, Etihad Airways invested $45 million in Air Seychelles. This amount gave Etihad a 40% stake in the airline.
However, in May 2021, it was announced that Etihad had sold its stake back to the Republic of Seychelles government.
6. Air Seychelles has several aircraft in its fleet
According to the Air Seychelles website, the airline has a total of seven aircraft in its fleet.
They have five DHC-6 Twin Otter-400s and two Airbus A320-200neos.
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7. The airline serves a handful of destinations
Air Seychelles serves over 10 destinations, including Praslin – a popular tourist island in the Republic of Seychelles – and its nearby nation Mauritius.
8. Air Seychelles rebranded in 2011 and entered administration a decade later
In 2011, Air Seychelles underwent a rebranding, introducing a new corporate livery and making structural changes to improve its financial situation and operations.
The airline received a significant boost in 2012 when Etihad Airways invested $45 million. Following this, Air Seychelles developed a two-year plan aimed at achieving sustainable profitability.
However, Etihad sold its stake back to the Republic of Seychelles government in May 2021. A few months later, in October 2021, the airline entered administration but successfully emerged from it in November 2022.
9. The airline has won awards
Air Seychelles has won numerous awards over the years, including the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Economy Class 2024 at the 31st World Travel Awards.
The carrier was also certified as a 4-star airline by Skytrax in 2014.
10. Air Seychelles also operates charter flights
In recent years, the airline has operated some charter flights. In April 2021, Air Seychelles’ inaugural charter flight from Romania landed in the Seychelles. The following month, the airline operated a charter flight to Australia.
This article was updated on October 9, 2024.
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