Air Seychelles will fly between Seychelles and Abu Dhabi six times weekly from May, 2025
Air Seychelles, the flag carrier of Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has announced the introduction of a new, direct service connecting Seychelles International Airport to Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.
In a press statement, Air Seychelles says that it will start the operations on the route from May 24, 2025 and it will fly between the two destinations six times weekly, offering daily departures from Seychelles except on Thursdays and from Abu Dhabi except on Fridays.
According to the airline, the new route has been designed to meet growing demand from leisure and business travellers alike.
Charles Johnson
“The capital city of Abu Dhabi has experienced tremendous population growth over the past decade, making it a vibrant year-round destination favoured by Seychellois families for its countless entertainment options. We are excited for the launch and are looking forward to offer our esteemed guests yet another destination to explore. The UAE also remains a crucial inbound tourist market for the destination, and we believe that the conditions are now optimal for the national airline to re-enter and establish a strong presence,” says Charles Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer, Air Seychelles.
Air Seychelles says that the route will also benefit from a code-sharing agreement with Etihad Airways, as previously enjoyed by Air Seychelles passengers, to connect to destinations across Europe, the United States and Asia.
The resumption of a partnership through a code-sharing agreement with Etihad Airways on the new Abu Dhabi route signals a positive turn in their relationship.
Relations between Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways were strained in 2021, when Etihad Airways withdrew from its 40 pc ownership in Air Seychelles after the latter was unable to meet its debt obligations to the Abu Dhabi-based airline and other bondholders.
This left Air Seychelles facing administration, a challenging period during which the national carrier worked tirelessly to secure its survival. The withdrawal ended a significant alliance that had started in 2012, and the government of Seychelles resumed full ownership of the airline.
After 13 months of administration, Air Seychelles says it has successfully implemented a rescue plan that enabled it to emerge from financial distress and reach a repayment agreement with Apex Trustees Bondholders, who had invested significantly in the company, securing its future as Seychelles’ flagship carrier.
The airline says that the addition of the Abu Dhabi route complements its existing regional network, which includes flights to Colombo, Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Mumbai, and Mauritius. The airline operates a modern fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft.
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