Air Seychelles Unveils 2-Year Business Plan

Air Seychelles has unveiled a far reaching two-year business plan to improve the carrier’s fortunes and position it as a premium carrier from the Indian Ocean region.

The plan will see Air Seychelles renew its fleet, take advantage of equity partner Etihad Airways’ know how and reputation as a world-class airline as well as its extensive global route network, maximise efficiencies, boost sales opportunities and launch a scholarship training program for Seychellois.

Highlights of the plan include:

- The introduction of two Airbus A330-200 aircraft

- The launch of services to Beijing in early 2013, offering through connections to Johannesburg via the Seychelles

- Increased frequencies to key destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Mauritius and Johannesburg

- Closer cooperation with Etihad Airways to identify economies of scale and synergies in staff training, procurement and product development

- Extended codeshare operations with Etihad Airways to connect the Seychelles, through Abu Dhabi, with a global network of passenger and cargo destinations

In coming months, Air Seychelles staff members such as pilots, cabin crew and engineers will have the opportunity to undergo training courses at the state-of-the-art Etihad Airways Training Academy in Abu Dhabi.

A scholarship program for Seychellois will also be launched, which will see graduates, cadet pilots and trainee engineers take advantage of the facilities at Etihad Airways’ headquarters.

Increased codesharing with Etihad Airways will open up a potential network of 73 passenger destinations in 49 countries, connecting the Seychelles with the world.

Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said, “Air Seychelles is a strong business proposition and Etihad Airways will do everything we can to ensure it achieves sustainable growth while offering passengers best in class service. When we partnered with Air Seychelles we made a commitment to support Air Seychelles’ quest to emerge as a viable airline offering world class service commensurate with that being offered by Etihad Airways. The business plan we presented is the tangible result of that commitment.”

Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer Cramer Ball added, “We have worked hard to identify areas in which Air Seychelles can improve operations and cut costs. This plan is a clearly laid out working document that will see us not only grow quickly, but will establish us as the carrier of choice in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.”

The new Board of Air Seychelles comprises:

- Minister Joel Morgan, Minister Home Affairs and Transport, as Chairperson
- Mr Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer Etihad Airways as Vice Chairperson

Directors from Government of Seychelles

- Mr Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs
- Mr Steve Fanny, Principal Secretary for Finance
- Mr Jean Weeling Lee, Managing Director Corvina

Directors from Etihad Airways

- Mr Duncan Naysmith, Vice President Financial Reporting
- Mr Bassam A Al Mosa, Vice President Corporate Investments and Subsidiaries

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