Air Seychelles orders new A320neo Airbus aircraft |29 May 2018
Air Seychelles has officially announced its first order of the new generation A320neo aircraft as part of its plan to refresh its fleet and increase efficiency on its regional network.
The order was signed by Air Seychelles’ chief executive, Remco Althuis and the Airbus Vice-President for Sales for Sub-Sahara Africa and Indian Ocean, Hadi Akoum during a ceremony held at the Savoy Resort and Spa at Beau Vallon yesterday afternoon.
This was in the presence of the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley; principal secretary of Civil Aviation Ports and Marine, Garry Albert; principal secretary for Tourism, Anne Lafortune; members from the travel and trade industry as well as the airline’s staff and colleagues from Airbus.
The new aircraft will be entering the Air Seychelles fleet in the second half of 2019 and will enable the airline to increase the capacity on its Johannesburg and Mumbai routes while at the same time delivering significant fuel savings, reducing the airlines’ operating costs.
The aircraft will be equipped with new inflight product reflecting the latest trends in the air travel industry, offering guests greater level of comfort and an enhanced travel experience.
Minister Dogley said: “The aviation industry is becoming extremely competitive which is also reflected in the Air Seychelles decision to invest into a fleet of new generation Airbus A320neo which will among other benefits generate fuel efficiencies that mirrors our national drive towards sustainability.
“Furthermore, the aircraft will elevate the product Air Seychelles offers across the region ensuring the airline continues to develop and grow sustainably.”
Minister Dogley described the announcement as a historic one and congratulated Air Seychelles for the decision to move the airline to new heights assuring it that the government is supportive of its decision.
Mr Althuis for his part said: “We are delighted to once again work with Airbus to bring the most technologically advanced and efficient aircraft across our regional network.
“To position Air Seychelles as the airline of choice within the Indian Ocean, we need to ensure that the business is aligned with the demands of the markets in which we operate today.
“Hence as part of the strategic plan, this new order will not only enable the airline to gradually replace its existing jet fleet with modern new aircraft, but it will also enable Air Seychelles to further strengthen its business by operating in a more efficient manner.”
Asked about the timing for such an announcement when the national airline is in the process of laying off more than 100 employees in the face of financial difficulties, Mr Althuis noted that the order was in the Airline’s business plan for last year and that negotiations relating to the lease agreement with Airbus is still being discussed.
He went on to point out that the airline stands to benefit greatly through such an investment.
Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, Eric Schulz, said: “We are pleased that Air Seychelles has chosen the A320neo to complement its long-term growth strategy.
“The fuel efficient aircraft will provide the airline with unbeatable efficiency, lowest operating costs and a significantly reduced environmental footprint. Thanks to the widest single-aisle cabin in the skies, the A320neo passengers will enjoy the best in class comfort.”
The A320neo is one the world’s most advanced aircraft equipped with the LEAP-1A from CFM International engines as well as large ‘sharklet’ wing tip devices offering up to 15 per cent in fuel savings per seat from day one to 20 per cent by 2020. Air Seychelles is the first airline to order the A320neo in the Western Indian Ocean.