Air Seychelles national carrier announced its intention to cancel two international flights this coming April. These will be flights to Antananarivo in Madagascar and Paris, the French capital. The two flights account for up to 30 percent passenger revenue of the airline.
The cancellation will start on 24th April onwards. Consequently, the changes to domestic flights will result in loss of employment to an unspecified number of the airline’s staff. The national carrier is also set to face more competition from other incoming international carriers. These include British Airways which will start operations to Seychelles in March. Additionally, Air France subsidiaries, Joon and Swiss Edelweiss Air will start operating to Seychelles in May and September respectively this year.
Remco Althuis, Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, explained that the new airline players to Seychelles coupled with nine others which are already operational would be enough. Furthermore, they would create excess inbound seats to the Island nation leading to reduced air tickets. This would likely trigger increased pressure to Air Seychelles operations to Paris which was not necessary. Paris operation by the Seychelles national carrier accounts for 30 percent revenue to the company. Antananarivo flights would also be canceled as they were highly dependent on feeds from Paris operations. Air Seychelles is also set to stop leasing two of its Airbus A330 aircraft.
The CEO revealed that such a decision was difficult to make as it would affect people who depended on the airline. Expatriate pilots are among the first group expected to be laid off together with cabin crew members. However, Mr. Althuis said that the move is necessary for the airline to remain sustainable and profitable. He also pointed out that the airline management would work together with the government and Etihad Airways Supervisory Board to assist staff while preserving as many jobs as possible.
Mr. Althuis said that the airline would concentrate on improving domestic and regional flight operations to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Mumbai, and Mauritius. The public would also be able to access more efficient international flights to France and larger Europe unmatched by Air Seychelles service. The national carrier will focus mainly on inter-island flights between Praslin and Mahe, scenic island charters and flight packages. It is also set to strengthen growth in non- airline services including handling of cargos, engineering, and ground handling.
Air Seychelles also plans to replace two Airbus A320 for its regional fleet with next-generation narrow- bodied aircrafts to facilitate higher competitive operations. Maurice Loustau- Lalanne, Minister for Civil Aviation, said that it was vital for Air Seychelles to make such changes to secure its future. He also expressed confidence in the airline in adaptation to coming changes with support from stakeholders.
