Air Seychelles highlights overall passenger contribution to the country |01 October 2021
Following statements made in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Air Seychelles is herewith providing more clarity on its overall passenger contribution to the Seychelles throughout the month of September, 2021.
Besides maintaining its commercial passenger flights to Tel Aviv, Air Seychelles in July introduced charter services from Johannesburg to the Maldives.
Given the closure of South Africa to Seychelles until September 13, 2021, Air Seychelles in the interim on its Johannesburg – Maldives flight conducted via the Seychelles, could only carry Seychellois nationals and gainful occupational permit (GOP) holders who were only allowed entry to Seychelles at that time, due to the ongoing government restrictions on travel to and from South Africa. For example, on the Johannesburg – Maldives flight conducted on September 11, 2021, a total of four Seychellois nationals and GOP holders disembarked in Seychelles whilst the rest of the passengers proceeded to Maldives.
For clarity, even if the four Seychellois nationals and GOP holders disembarked in Seychelles, the aircraft was not empty as the rest of the 164 passengers’ final destination was the Maldives and not Seychelles.
To note, to meet the demand on the Johannesburg – Maldives route, Air Seychelles is now operating both combined charter and commercial flights between the two countries which has resulted in a great partnership with the Maldives local tourism authorities ‘Visit Maldives’ confirming the extension of the airline’s services into 2022 on this route, to grow the traffic further.
As the airline has carved out a niche in both commercial and charter flying while some traditional markets remain closed in September, given the unprecedented environment, to sustain its operations, Air Seychelles will not compromise on its operational costs and commercial viability, prior to operating any flights across its international network.
Press release from Air Seychelles