THE A320-NEO airliner touched down at the Seychelles Airport on Saturday, 24 th May at 12:30 pm, resuming Air
Seychelles’ direct flight service from the United Arab Emirates’ capital of Abu Dhabi, after a six-year hiatus.
The flight left Seychelles at 20:30 the previous day, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 1:10 am on Saturday. Its return
flight departed Abu Dhabi at 8 am, arriving in Seychelles at 12:35 pm, where it was welcomed by the symbolic
water cannon salute.
With revised six-weekly flights, the route offers 2688 seats, which is a 76 per cent increase in seat capacity
compared to the former Etihad-operated route of twice weekly with a total of 632 seats. The average flight duration
is approximately four hours and thirty-five minutes.
When addressing the guests, Transport Minister, Antony Derjacques, said a strategic point when re-introducing
the route was its affordable and accessibility. “The route has been designed to be very affordable, ensuring that more
Seychellois families, professionals and students can travel with greater ease and convenience. The United Arab
Emirates remains a vital inbound market for our tourism sector, contributing significantly to our economy,” he
stated.
Minister Derjacques went on to state that the reintroduction of this route aims to serve a diverse range of
passengers. In the past, it catered only to leisure travellers and the Seychelles’ diaspora. With the renewed
partnership and improved connectivity, it is anticipated that there will be an increased interest from business
travellers, tourists seeking a unique experience and visiting relatives, according to the minister.
He emphasised that this is just one of four major aviation milestones for Seychelles this year, as the country has
brought and hosted IndiGO Airlines from India, which is now operating four flights weekly; the Discover Airlines is
set to connect Seychelles to Germany, the largest tourism market, in addition to Condor, in September, this year.
“Prepare for the launch of Air Arabia, expected later this year, which will connect Seychelles to the UAE via
Sharjah International Airport and extend our reach into the Middle East and Eastern Europe through its expansive
network.”
For his part, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive, Sandy Benoiton, said the new flights are timed to link passengers
from Mauritius and Reunion with Abu Dhabi, creating seamless travel options and broadening choices for both
leisure and business trips. This means greater accessibility to a host of destinations beyond the Middle East; opening
doors to Europe, Asia and the United States through the extensive networks of codeshare partner, Etihad Airways.
It also offers connectivity to the Indian Market and Israel. “This reinforces our mission to serve diverse markets
vital to Seychelles’ tourism and economic growth,” he stated.
“The achievement signifies more than just the return of a route; it represents renewed commitment to connecting
Seychelles with key international markets, opening new horizons for travellers and supporting our economythrough
increased tourism and business operations.”
Mr Benoiton noted that Abu Dhabi remains a premier destination that seamlessly blends rich cultural heritage
with modern luxury and exciting activities. It is known for its impressive skyline and world-class attractions.
“Perhaps more compelling for our local market, is the fact that Abu Dhabi is located just a short drive from Abu
Dhabi is located just a short drive from Dubai, which has proven a hotspot for Seychelles in recent years.”
With the launch, Air Seychelles is offering a special promotion until August 22, with fares starting at R5,999.
Passengers can also enjoy an additional 15kg baggage allowance, bringing the total to 45kg in economy class.
—Source: Nation
