Air Seychelles
The national airline of Seychelles, providing inter-island, regional, international and charter air services.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Air Seychelles is the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles and one of the country’s principal transport and tourism brands. Its head office is located at Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, the largest island in the archipelago. The airline operates a combination of scheduled domestic services, selected international flights and charter operations, giving it a role that extends beyond ordinary commercial aviation: it links the country’s islands, supports tourism and provides an internationally recognizable carrier for an island state whose communities and visitor economy depend heavily on air transport. The business was created through the consolidation of two local operators, Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways. The combined national carrier was formed in September 1977 under the name Seychelles Airlines and adopted the Air Seychelles name in September 1978. Its initial role centered on domestic and regional connectivity, but the company began international operations in 1983 with services to Frankfurt and London. This marked an important transition from a primarily local operator into a carrier intended to connect Seychelles directly with major overseas markets. Air Seychelles’ business has repeatedly been shaped by the scale of the Seychelles market. The country’s population and local demand are limited, while tourism demand is seasonal and exposed to competition from foreign airlines. These conditions contributed to management and profitability difficulties before the airline entered a major strategic partnership with Etihad Airways. In February 2012, Etihad invested US$45 million for a 40 percent interest. The partnership was intended to provide capital, commercial support and access to Etihad’s wider network. Air Seychelles began flying to Abu Dhabi in March 2012 and entered codeshare arrangements that enabled connections beyond its own network. The 2012 business plan included fleet renewal, additional Airbus A330-200 aircraft, increased frequencies on selected routes and closer operational cooperation with Etihad. The airline subsequently reported a net profit of US$3.2 million for 2014, although the wider strategy remained vulnerable to competition and changing demand. In January 2018, Air Seychelles announced that it would close its sole long-haul route to Paris and return its two Airbus A330 aircraft. The decision reflected the growing presence of competing European services and the importance of the Paris route to total passenger revenue. The company consequently refocused on domestic and regional flying and reduced its workforce. Etihad’s investment ended in 2021. On 1 May of that year, Etihad sold its 40 percent stake back to the Government of Seychelles, restoring government ownership. Air Seychelles has continued to emphasize inter-island transportation and a more limited international network, while also maintaining charter and specialist aviation activities. Its Air Seychelles VIP operation provides services for VIP passengers and aircraft crews and includes fixed-base-operation capabilities managed with Royal Jet. The Air Seychelles Plus loyalty program was integrated into Etihad Guest in June 2012 during the period of the Etihad partnership. The brand’s market position is therefore defined by national responsibility, island connectivity and selective international reach rather than by the scale of a global network carrier. Its domestic services, especially links between Mahé and Praslin, address an essential geographic need, while regional and international flights support tourism, residents and business travelers. The airline’s history reflects the recurring balance between public-service importance and commercial sustainability that characterizes many carriers serving small island economies.
History
Air Seychelles traces its origins to the consolidation of Seychelles’ small local air operators. On 15 September 1977, Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways were merged to create the country’s national airline, initially called Seychelles Airlines. The company adopted the Air Seychelles name in September 1978. Its early purpose was to provide dependable air links within an archipelago whose geography makes aviation an important part of everyday mobility. Domestic connections, especially between Mahé and Praslin, became a lasting part of the carrier’s role. The airline expanded beyond the domestic market in 1983, when it inaugurated international services to Frankfurt and London. These routes connected Seychelles directly with important European markets and supported the development of international tourism. Over time, Air Seychelles became both a commercial carrier and a symbol of national presence abroad. Its network and fleet strategy were nevertheless constrained by the small size of the home market, seasonal tourism demand and competition from foreign airlines operating into Seychelles. Before 2012, the airline experienced management and profitability difficulties. In February 2012, Etihad Airways invested US$45 million for a 40 percent shareholding. The transaction gave Air Seychelles a strategic partner with a larger international network and was intended to support restructuring and a return to profitability. The relationship included codeshare arrangements, access to Etihad’s Abu Dhabi hub and closer cooperation in commercial and operational areas. Air Seychelles started Abu Dhabi flights in March 2012. On 16 March 2012, Air Seychelles announced a two-year business plan built around fleet renewal, the use of Etihad’s partnership network, the introduction of Airbus A330-200 aircraft after many years operating an all-Boeing fleet, higher frequencies on important routes and closer coordination with Etihad. The partnership also placed Air Seychelles within the broader Etihad Airways Partners framework at that time. In March 2015, the airline announced a US$3.2 million net profit for 2014, presenting the result as evidence of progress under the restructuring plan. The airline later reconsidered its long-haul strategy. In January 2018, it announced that it would close its only long-haul service, the Paris route, return its two Airbus A330 aircraft and concentrate on domestic and regional flying. The decision was attributed to intensifying competition from other services between Europe and Seychelles. The Paris route represented approximately 30 percent of the airline’s passenger revenue according to the cited management explanation, but the company judged the operation unsustainable under the new competitive conditions. The refocusing also involved a reduction in the workforce. Etihad’s ownership ended in 2021. On 1 May, it was announced that Etihad had sold its 40 percent stake back to the Government of Seychelles. Air Seychelles thereby returned to government control after nearly a decade of minority private-airline ownership. The carrier’s continuing activities include inter-island scheduled services, selected international and regional passenger routes, and charter flights. Air Seychelles also operates specialist aviation services through Air Seychelles VIP. This activity serves VIP passengers and aircraft crews and includes fixed-base-operation support managed in conjunction with Royal Jet. During the Etihad relationship, the Air Seychelles Plus loyalty program was integrated into Etihad Guest in June 2012. The brand’s visual identity has incorporated national colors and imagery associated with Seychelles; in 2011, the airline introduced a revised livery using blue, green, red and white on the tail, replacing a design that had used traditional red, white and green colors with two white terns, the country’s national bird. Air Seychelles remains principally defined by its national and inter-island function. Its commercial network may change with demand and competition, but the carrier’s strategic importance derives from providing air transport for residents, visitors and the wider tourism economy of Seychelles.
- 2021
Government resumes full ownership
[1]Etihad Airways sold its 40 percent stake back to the Government of Seychelles.
- 2018
Long-haul strategy reduced
[1]The airline announced the closure of its Paris route, return of its two Airbus A330 aircraft and a focus on domestic and regional services.
- 2015
2014 profit announced
[1]Air Seychelles reported net profit of US$3.2 million for the 2014 financial year.
- 2012
Etihad investment and strategic partnership
[1]Etihad Airways acquired a 40 percent stake, while Air Seychelles launched Abu Dhabi service and announced a restructuring and fleet-renewal plan.
- 2011
New aircraft livery introduced
[1]The airline introduced a revised livery using blue, green, red and white on the tail.
- 1983
International operations begin
[1]Air Seychelles began international services to Frankfurt and London.
- 1978
Renamed Air Seychelles
[1]The national airline adopted the Air Seychelles name.
- 1977
National airline established
[1]Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways were merged on 15 September to form Seychelles Airlines, the country’s national carrier.
Products and positioning
A national flag carrier focused on Seychelles’ inter-island mobility, tourism connectivity and selected regional and international air services.
Passenger air transport
Domestic passenger services
Scheduled inter-island flights linking major Seychelles islands, particularly Mahé and Praslin. These services support residents, tourism workers, visitors and other travelers who need practical movement within the archipelago. Domestic connectivity is a foundational part of Air Seychelles’ national-carrier role and remains less dependent on the scale of overseas markets than the airline’s international operations.
Passenger air transport · 1983
International and regional passenger services
Scheduled flights from Seychelles to selected regional and international destinations. The network has changed over time in response to tourism demand, competition and profitability. Air Seychelles entered international operations in 1983 and later used Abu Dhabi connectivity and codeshares with Etihad to extend the practical reach of its network.
Charter air transport
Charter flights
Non-scheduled aviation services operated for particular travel, tourism or organizational requirements. Charter operations complement the airline’s scheduled network and allow it to serve demand that does not necessarily justify a permanent route.
Aviation support services
Air Seychelles VIP
A specialist facility serving VIP passengers, aircraft crews and aeronautical technical-support needs. Its activities include fixed-base-operation services managed in conjunction with Royal Jet, extending the brand beyond scheduled passenger transport.
Loyalty program
Air Seychelles Plus
Air Seychelles’ former loyalty program, which was fully integrated into Etihad Guest in June 2012 during the airline’s strategic partnership with Etihad Airways.
Brand decisions
2021
Restore government ownershipM&ABackground
The Etihad equity partnership had lasted nearly a decade, while Air Seychelles continued to require a strategy suited to a small island market.
Action taken
Etihad Airways sold its 40 percent holding back to the Government of Seychelles.
Aftermath
The transaction returned Air Seychelles to government ownership and ended Etihad’s direct equity participation.
2018
Withdraw from the Paris long-haul routeStrategyBackground
Increasing competition from European services made the airline’s sole long-haul route commercially unsustainable, despite its importance to passenger revenue.
Action taken
Air Seychelles closed the Paris route, returned two Airbus A330 aircraft and redirected its focus toward domestic and regional networks.
Aftermath
The change reduced the airline’s long-haul presence and was accompanied by a workforce reduction and a strategic emphasis on markets closer to Seychelles.
2012
Accept Etihad Airways minority investmentM&ABackground
Air Seychelles had experienced management and profitability problems and needed a restructuring plan capable of improving its commercial position.
Action taken
The airline accepted a US$45 million investment from Etihad Airways in exchange for a 40 percent stake and entered a broader strategic, codeshare and network relationship.
Aftermath
The partnership supported Abu Dhabi service, fleet and network planning, and closer cooperation with Etihad. Air Seychelles later reported a 2014 net profit, although it subsequently reduced its long-haul operations.
Etihad investment. US$45 million investment for a 40 percent stake (February 2012)
2012
Implement a two-year restructuring and fleet planStrategyBackground
The airline sought to return to profitability while using the Etihad partnership to improve network reach, fleet capability and commercial coordination.
Action taken
Air Seychelles announced fleet renewal, additional Airbus A330-200 aircraft, increased frequencies on key routes and closer cooperation with Etihad Airways.
Aftermath
The plan expanded the airline’s strategic relationship with Etihad and enabled new Abu Dhabi connectivity, but the airline later returned to a narrower regional strategy.
Recent events
- 2021
Etihad Airways sells its Air Seychelles stake back to the government[1]
M&A
Etihad sold its 40 percent interest in Air Seychelles to the Government of Seychelles, ending the equity partnership.
- 2018
Air Seychelles closes its Paris route and refocuses on regional flying[1]
Product generation
The company announced the closure of its sole long-haul route, the return of two Airbus A330 aircraft and a reduced-workforce strategy centered on domestic and regional services.
- 2015
Air Seychelles reports a 2014 net profit[1]
Other
The airline announced a US$3.2 million net profit for the 2014 financial year.
- 2012
Etihad Airways acquires a minority stake[1]
M&A
Etihad Airways invested US$45 million for a 40 percent stake in Air Seychelles after the airline experienced management and profitability problems.
- 2012
Air Seychelles launches Abu Dhabi service and deepens Etihad cooperation[1]
Product launch · M&A
The airline began flying to Abu Dhabi and established codeshare and broader commercial cooperation with Etihad Airways.
- 1983
Air Seychelles begins international flights[1]
Product launch
The airline launched international services to Frankfurt and London, expanding beyond its domestic and regional role.
- 1978
Airline adopts the Air Seychelles name[1]
Other
The newly consolidated national carrier changed its name from Seychelles Airlines to Air Seychelles.
- 1977
Air Seychelles formed through the merger of two local carriers[1]
Other
Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways were combined to establish the national airline of Seychelles, initially under the name Seychelles Airlines.
Sources2 sources
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