Airbus Updates No.4696

 

Air Seychelles signs lease for two

A321XLRs

The first aircraft will be delivered in 2028. 

Air Seychelles is to lease a pair of Airbus A321XLRs from lessor SMBC Aviation Capital, as it looks to expand its fleet and network.

The two long-range narrowbodies are part of SMBC Aviation Capital’s existing orderbook, the lessor states. The first aircraft will be delivered to Air Seychelles in 2028.

“[The aircraft] is expected to play an important role in strengthening Seychelles’ position as a globally connected island destination by improving access to international markets and supporting the country’s tourism-driven economy,” the airline states.

Air Seychelles operates a pair of A320neos, as well as five De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter-400s.

Airline chief Sandy Benoiton says: “The addition of two Airbus A321XLR aircraft will provide us with the range and flexibility required to expand our network beyond our traditional regional footprint and connect Seychelles more directly with key international source markets.”

Airbus Updates No.2239

Air Seychelles takes delivery of maiden A320neo

Air Seychelles Airbus A320-200N © CDB Aviation

01.08.2019 - 22:54 UTC

Air Seychelles (HM, Mahé) took delivery of its first A320-200neo at Hamburg Finkenwerder on July 31, 2019, lessor CDB Leasing said in a press release.

S7-VEV (msn 8972) is the first A320neo delivered to an African carrier. The aircraft is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A26 engines and features 168 passenger seats, including 12 in business class and 156 in economy.

Positioning to the Seychelles is expected to take place in the coming days.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, Air Seychelles plans to launch A320neo operations on August 6, deploying the aircraft on a one-off service from Mahé to Mauritius. It subsequently plans to use the type on flights to Mumbai Int'l (5x weekly from August 6, then 6x weekly from August 18), Antananarivo (one flight on August 7), Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (daily from August 8), and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion (weekly from November 27).

Air Seychelles currently operates two A320-200s and five DHC-6-400s. The carrier expects its second A320neo, on lease from Air Lease Corporation, to deliver during the first quarter of 2020.

Airbus Updates No.1847

Air Seychelles orders A320neo

Logo of Air Seychelles © Air Seychelles

31MAY2018

Air Seychelles (HM, Mahé) has ordered an A320neo from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) as part of its ongoing restructuring and turnaround plan.

The carrier said in a statement the CFM International LEAP 1A-powered aircraft will deliver during the second half of 2019 and will enable it to increase capacity on its Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Mumbai Int'l routes while at the same time reduce its operating costs through reduced fuel burn.

“To position Air Seychelles as the airline of choice within the Indian Ocean, we need to ensure that the business is aligned with the demands of the markets in which we operate today," airline Chief Executive Officer, Remco Althuis, said. “Hence as part of the strategic plan, this new order will not only enable the airline to gradually replace its existing jet fleet with modern new aircraft, but it will also enable Air Seychelles to further strengthen its business by operating in a more efficient manner.”

As part of its cost-cutting drive, Air Seychelles ended longhaul, widebody operations with its pair of A330-200s having since been phased-out. As it stands, its fleet entails two A320-200s and six DHC-6-400s used to run domestic island-hopper flights as well as services to Abu Dhabi Int'l, Mauritius, Mumbai, and Johannesburg.

In tandem with the capacity cut, Air Seychelles has also reduced its head-count with 126 staff to be made redundant instead of the 174 announced earlier this year.

“We have just informed those that are being made redundant that they will receive their final letter with all their dues calculated. We have considered a five-month package including the allowances,” Althuis was quoted by the Seychelles News Agency.