Etihad marks inaugural flight to Seychelles |04 November 2011

Mr Al Muhairy addressing guests at the luncheon yesterday

Present were former President James Mancham, Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Paul Adam, secretary of state and chairman of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Barry Faure, and top figures of the tourism, hotel and aviation sectors.

Mr Mancham and Mr Faure were among the passengers aboard the inaugural flight which arrived in Seychelles on Wednesday.

The vice-president for sales of Etihad Airways in the UAE, Hareb Al Muhairy, hailed the event, which he said coincided with the 8th anniversary of Etihad. 

He noted that in 2006, Etihad was ranked 52 in terms of the world’s best airlines. Last year, its ranking had climbed to being the sixth and its target is to be the world’s best, he said.

Mr Al Muhairy said Etihad Airways will be Abu Dhabi’s link to Seychelles, which he said was fast becoming a popular destination among clients served by the airline.

He said that from forward bookings, it is obvious that thousands of vacationers are planning holidays in Seychelles.
It is for this reason, Mr Al Muhairy said, that the airline’s representatives in such European markets as Italy, Germany and Belgium were also among the passengers on the Etihad inaugural flight.

Another passenger on the flight was the UAE’s non-resident Ambassador to Seychelles, Mullulah Mubarak-Al-Ameri, who noted that the inauguration of Etihad services  to Mahe, makes Seychelles the 86th destination served by the airline in just eight years.

He also said it showed the excellent relations between the UAE and Seychelles.
The UAE ambassador also noted that soon his country will be involved in the urban planning and development of Victoria.

He said the project which had received the blessing of President James Michel and Sheikh Khalifa bin Sayed Al-Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, will provide a sustainable environment and improve the lifestyle of our citizens.

Ambassador Al Ameri said the development of urban public areas and infrastructure will meet the standards of the 21st century.