Last Thursday Airbus delivered the first A320neo to an African airline, Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles.
Named “Veuve” after the most critically endangered bird, commonly known as the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher; the single-aisle aircraft, registered as S7-VEV, has a total of 168 seats including 12 Business Class seats and 156 in Economy. Powered by the new-generation LEAP-1A engine, from CFM International, and featuring a large fuel-saving wingtip device known as Sharklets.
“Reflecting the latest travel trends the new generation aircraft will offer guests a comfortable experience, with access to seyStream wireless in-flight entertainment platform, combined with the unique Creole warmth and hospitality of our dedicated Cabin Crew to strengthen Air Seychelles travelling proposition.” said Air Seychelles Chief Executive Remco Althuis.
The new in-flight entertainment system presented on this aircraft is named “seyStream” by the airline; it consists of a WiFi device that will allow passengers to use their own electronic devices to access a wide variety of free TV shows and movies. The platform also features a dedicated children’s channel and has a live 3D moving map of the aircraft’s route.
The first of two A320neo’s is leased from CDB Aviation, an Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co, and will join the current fleet of 7 aircraft composed of 5 DHC-6 Twin Otter-400 Series and 3 Airbus A320-200s. It is the first time since 2001 that Air Seychelles has taken delivery of a new aircraft.
“The arrival of “Veuve” definitely marks the start of a new chapter in the development of the national airline, the increase in seat capacity available on the aircraft will enable Air Seychelles to continue delivering a significant contribution towards both the growth of tourism and the Seychelles economy.” said the Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alan Renaud.
Air Seychelles A320neo Route
Starting November 27th, Air Seychelles will begin a once weekly six hour and 20 minute flight from Maha to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- HM22 Mahe to Tel Aviv departing 17:30 arriving 21:50
- HM21 Tel Aviv to Mahe departing 23:55 arriving 08:15 (+1 day)
The new service will be operated on Wednesday evenings from the Seychelles, with the returning flight departing Tel Aviv a week later. The flight has been carefully timed to provide business and leisure traveller’s convenient connections from the Seychelles to Mauritius, Johannesburg, and Mumbai.
The national airline will also be adding El Al Airlines to its list of interline partners, as part of its network expansion to provide onward connections to over 20 destinations across Europe via the Ben Gurion International Airport.
Besides inter-island flights and charters, Air Seychelles operates international flights to Mauritius, Johannesburg, and Mumbai.