Air Seychelles (HM, Mahé) is wet-leasing a B787-9 from Etihad Airways to offer a nonstop widebody service between Mahé and Paris CDG, filling a market need for an alternative route for travellers looking to avoid the Persian Gulf during the current air strikes between the US/Israel and Iran.
The carrier said in a statement it would launch 3x weekly flights starting March 20, initially scheduled to run for one month. The schedule could increase to 4x weekly, depending on operational requirements and demand. The 290-seater B787 will accommodate 262 passengers in economy and 28 in business class.
The launch comes as airspace closures across parts of the Middle East disrupt traditional transit routes through Gulf hubs. By operating a direct service between Mahé and Paris Charles de Gaulle, the airline said it aimed to provide a more reliable alternative for passengers during the disruptions, while allowing Air Seychelles to introduce long-haul capacity beyond its current narrowbody fleet.
The airline already offers indirect services to Paris CDG with a A321-200N, routing from Mahé via Hurghada to Paris, ADS-B data shows.
Air Seychelles has a codeshare partnership with Etihad Airways to Doha Hamad International. It also serves Abu Dhabi International, but both routes have been affected by the current security situation in the UAE. ADS-B data shows that Flight HM18 to Abu Dhabi and Flight HM19 to Doha both last operated on February 28. The airline confirmed to ch-aviation that both flights have been paused.
Air Seychelles' in-house fleet comprises two A320-200Ns and five DHC-6-400s.
