Seychelles International Airways (SCH, Mahé) is planning to launch on September 10, 2020, initially chartering an A340-600 for cargo-only flights before moving to passenger operations, Chief Executive Robert Marie told the Seychelles News Agency.
"We will not be focusing on passenger flights at the moment unless there is a demand or a chartered flight, which will follow all procedures of the health department. We are focusing on bringing cargo into the country as we feel and have evidence that Seychelles needs cargo," Marie explained.
During the first flight, Seychelles International Airways plans to carry around 40 passengers - officials and employees - and 30 tonnes of freight.
The virtual carrier, which has yet to receive its own Air Operator's Certificate, did not reveal the operator of the first chartered A340. Marie did not respond to ch-aviation's request for further information.
In the long term, the airline still plans to grow long-haul passenger operations out of Mahé. Marie named Frankfurt International as a potential destination, although he suggested that the carrier would seek to operate a hub-and-spoke model via Mahé rather than exclusive point-to-point services to and from the Seychelles. Marie did not provide any timeline but said that these plans would be put in place only after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
Seychelles International Airways, which is wholly-privately-owned and is backed by USD20-50 million from undisclosed foreign and domestic investors, sees this market niche as attractive given that flag carrier Air Seychelles (HM, Mahé) no longer operates any widebody aircraft. The airline's medium-haul flights to Mumbai International and Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, both currently suspended, are normally operated by its two A320-200Ns. Air Seychelles has been mulling the addition of A321-200NX(LR)s for proposed services to Perth International.
