Air Seychelles

Air Seychelles is the national flag carrier of the Republic of Seychelles, an Indian Ocean archipelago known for its pristine beaches and rich biodiversity. The airline was originally founded in 1978 as Seychelles Airlines, adopting its current name the following year, and it officially began flight operations in 1983, initially focusing on domestic inter-island services. For much of its history, the carrier was wholly owned by the Seychelles government, but a pivotal development occurred in 2012 when Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways acquired a 40 percent strategic stake in the airline. This partnership brought notable fleet and network expansion, although it also placed financial strains on the company. In 2020, the Seychelles government repurchased Etihad’s share, returning Air Seychelles to full state ownership. Today it operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Transport and continues to serve as the nation’s primary link to the outside world.

The airline’s fleet composition reflects its dual mission to serve both the domestic island network and international long-haul markets. Its principal hub and home base is Seychelles International Airport on Mahé Island, which handles all mainline international services. For domestic operations within the archipelago, the carrier relies on a fleet of De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop aircraft, specially suited for short runways and inter-island connectivity. On the international front, Air Seychelles deploys modern Airbus narrow-body and wide-body jets, including the A320neo for regional sectors and the A330-200 for longer-range flights. The airline also maintains a dedicated cargo operation, often using the belly-hold capacity of its passenger aircraft to transport perishable goods such as fish and other freight, supporting the nation’s import-export and tourism sectors.

As a full-service flag carrier, Air Seychelles operates under a traditional business model rather than a low-cost or charter framework. It offers a two-class cabin service on its international flights and provides a complementary product for domestic travellers. The airline is not a member of any global airline alliance, although it maintains codeshare agreements and interline partnerships with several major carriers, which allow seamless connections through its hub. Notable achievements include becoming the first airline in the Indian Ocean region to be awarded the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification in 2007, a milestone that underscored its commitment to global safety standards. The carrier has also frequently been recognised at the World Travel Awards, particularly earning the title of Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline on multiple occasions, as well as accolades for its cabin crew and service quality. In recent years, Air Seychelles has undertaken a fleet modernisation programme aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing its environmental footprint, while continuing to uphold its reputation as a reliable connector of the island nation to the rest of the world.