The Seychelles flag carrier has seen a major increase in passenger traffic but needs more capability to fulfill the demand. Although passenger numbers proceed rising, several challenges hinder African airlines from meeting the pent-up demand for air travel.
Several markets and airlines have recovered from the pandemic, recording significant growth and net profits. Even though it has not published its financial performance for FY22, Air Seychelles confirmed that the demand within the region had surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The airline’s Acting CEO, Sandy Benoiton, said in an interview with Easy Flying;
“In the entire ecosystem, there was a lot disruption that it’ll take time to find a way to match the demand that’s there. The demand might be at and even above pre-pandemic, but I believe one in every of the most important issues is with the ability to serve the demand, particularly the legacy of the larger carriers.”
The incredibly high cost of fuel and maintenance, supply chain issues, and restricted access to certain markets has stopped some airlines from carrying as many passengers as that they had planned.
Increase in passenger numbers
To survive the pandemic, the airline underwent several changes, and it’s one in every of the few African carriers that essentially never stopped flying. Working with the federal government, it converted its passenger jets into cargo aircraft, eventually opening the country up faster than anticipated.
Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock
The carrier also modified its fleet from the Airbus A320ceo to the A320neo to increase its range and tap into latest markets. The airline fell into business administration in October 2021 and exited in November 2022, and since then, it has seen very positive results, managing to record some profits, which can be announced soon.
Other than its regular service to Mumbai, Mauritius, Johannesburg, and Tel Aviv, the airline’s A320neos managed to fly to about 35 destinations in 2022, with chartered flights to Australia, Amsterdam, Beijing, Bucharest, Dakar, and London, to say just a few.
Passenger traffic within the region has recovered to about 110% of pre-pandemic levels, showing a positive outlook for the airline for the remainder of the yr. Air Seychelles is now working on developing latest routes and dealing with partners to boost its network.
Inaugural flights to Sri Lanka
Last week, Air Seychelles launched its inaugural flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka, its second destination in Asia. The four-hour flight from Seychelles International (SEZ) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) was operated on the A320neo, which was welcomed by a conventional water cannon salute.
Photo: Airbus
While in Sri Lanka, the Acting CEO officially inaugurated the primary Air Seychelles office in Colombo. Nevertheless, the aircraft remained on the bottom for about one hour after which made the return flight with 2.5 tons of cargo headed for Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). That is one other essential destination for the airline, being the second-most demanded after Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB).
Flights between Mahé and Colombo can be operated 4 times every week, with two flights leaving Seychelles on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while the opposite two return on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Growing the airline post administration
Seychelles is a really small island country with about 100,000 people. Air Seychelles is one in every of the most important businesses on the island, providing greater than just air travel for the residents. It is an element of the country’s economic development, so the CEO is devoted to growing the airline and keeping it alive.
Photo: Air Seychelles
The carrier continually looks for brand spanking new routes and opportunities to expand consistent with its development strategy. For the time being, Air Seychelles is leveraging its recent partnership with Qatar Airways to extend its footprint in the worldwide market.
The airline can even partner with Sri Lankan Airlines to permit its passengers to fly beyond Colombo to other destinations in Asia. Moreover, it’s discussing codeshare agreements with more airlines, which can be announced soon.
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