Air Seychelles Launches New African Route

Posted on : Wednesday, 1st October 2014

Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles has launched direct flights to Antananarivo, Madagascar, to add to South Africa, Tanzania and Mauritius, where it currently operate flights to.

“We are thrilled to add Antananarivo to our global network, further cementing our position as the airline of choice in the Indian Ocean region,” said Manoj Papa, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer.

The twice-weekly flights that will commence on December 3, to the capital’s Ivato International Airport (TNR) will be operated using a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft with 16 Business Class and 120 Economy Class seats.

The new services will be Air Seychelles’ fourth destination in a rapidly expanding regional network that includes Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg and Mauritius.

“Madagascar is enjoying strong economic growth from renewed foreign investment and surging eco-tourism. Our flights will cater to the growing demand for business and leisure travel to what is the world’s fourth largest island,” Papa said.

According to him, the new route will boost trade and tourism in both directions and also provide the large number of Malagasy nationals living in the Seychelles, an easier way of visiting their country.

Guests from Madagascar will also have access to onward connections to destinations served by Air Seychelles in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, including Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, as well as with the airline’s codeshare partners.

Apart from movement of people, the A320 aircraft will also offer over seven tons of weekly bellyhold freight capacity to and from Madagascar.

Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs and Transport and Air Seychelles Board Chairman, Joel Morgan, said the new flights were indicative of Air Seychelles’ successful turnaround, as well as the Seychelles’ importance as a new regional hub. In a recent report by UNCTAD, Seychelles emerged one of the favorite destinations of investors interested in Hotels and restaurants.

“The Indian Ocean is at the heart of our route network development, and we are delighted Antananarivo is now a part of the Air Seychelles network. It marks an important milestone in our regional expansion strategy,” Morgan said.

“The direct links to Antananarivo will create new opportunities for government, trade, tourism and cultural exchanges within the Indian Ocean, and through our global network, connect the region to the world,” he added.