A New Start ~ Air Seychelles "Connected" With The Arrival of Aldabra

A New Beginning For Aldabra

Named after one of the world's largest raised coral atolls also one of Seychelles UNESCO world heritage sites, 'Aldabra', is the first Seychelles-registered aircraft to offer guests in-flight connectivity. Registered as S7-ADB the A330 was greeted by the traditional water canon salute at the International airport at Pointe Larue, on the eastern cost of the Seychelles main island of Mahé when it arrived earlier this week.

It is the first Airbus A330 aircraft, previously registered in the United Arab Emirates with Etihad Airways to be transferred to the Seychelles civil aircraft register, following the transfer of two of Air Seychelles’ Airbus A320 aircraft, Amirantes in June and Silhouette in September this year. Etihad Airways invested $45 million in Air Seychelles when it bought a 40 percent share in the airline in 2012, with the aim of turning the company around after several prior years of losses. Aldabra was the first Airbus to join Air Seychelles' international fleet in 2012, following the strategic partnership between the two airlines.

Speaking to the local press at the airport Air Seychelles CEO Roy Kinnear, described the new service of in-flight connectivity available on the aircraft as another way of demonstrating that Air Seychelles is focused on improving the guest experience.

“What this means in this day and age of technology, is a wider range of leisure technology activities onboard our aircraft...and for many of us who travel for work purposes it means we can shoot off emails to our colleague,” said Kinnear.

With a configuration of 18 Business Class and 236 Economy Class seats, Aldabra operates long-haul flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle, regional flights to Johannesburg and selected flights to regional destinations of Abu Dhabi and Mauritius.

The Welcome Ceremony For Aldabra

Welcoming committee’ (L-R) Minister for Environment Mr. Didier Dogley, the CEO of Air Seychelles Mr. Roy Kinnear, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Transport Mr. Joel Morgan and the Minister for Tourism and Culture Mr. Alain St. Ange – flanked by Air Seychelles staff.