Seychelles Airlines (Mahé) has delayed its launch plans until late 2018. Affiliated consultant Captain Robert Marie told The Nation newspaper that despite the deferral, the start-up was still looking to commence scheduled passenger flights using a pair of B767s.

Though initial plans had called for flights to traditional tourist strongholds such as France, Italy, and Germany, Marie said other untapped markets presented equally attractive opportunities.

"But we have routes that have already been confirmed which we have considered worthwhile to serve," he said. "These include Mauritius, Singapore Changi, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo in South Africa, and Thailand. These are already on the table. And there are many Seychellois overseas who want to come to the Seychelles. And we hope we can serve these countries too."

Seychelles Airlines is being financed by at least two locally-based businessmen, Ahmed Afif and Philippe Boulle.

Once operational, it will contend with the likes of Air Seychelles (HM, Mahé), a joint-venture between the Seychellois government and Etihad Airways (EY, Abu Dhabi International), which currently serves Mauritius, India, France, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Madagascar using a jet fleet of two A320-200s and two A330-200s.