Bonjour, Paris: Air Seychelles resumes widebody flights after 8-year hiatus with Etihad Boeing 787
March 14, 2026
Air Seychelles has announced its return to the long-haul market for one-month using a Boeing 787 aircraft leased from former equity partner Etihad Airways. The carrier currently only operates short and medium-haul aircraft, with its largest plane being the Airbus A320neo.
It previously flew a pair of Airbus A330-200 aircraft leased from Etihad, used for services to Paris and Madagascar. It suspended long-haul operations with widebody aircraft in 2018 after a restructuring effort saw its operation downsized considerable.
The route to Paris will begin at the end of the month – giving the carrier very little time to fill its first few flights. The link will run thrice weekly, with the possibility of increasing to four times per week.
Air Seychelles returns to Europe with new route to Paris for 1 month
Air Seychelles has announced that for a period of one-month it will be launching flights between Seychelles and Paris Charles de Gaulle beginning on 20 March. It argues that the new flights “enhance air connectivity between the island nation and one of its most important European markets at a crucial time.” It pointed to the current conflict in the Gulf which has had an impact on global traffic flows.
The route will operate thrice weekly with an Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9, the company said. Depending on “operational requirements and market demand” it says that it could increase frequencies to four weekly. The aircraft is configured with 290 seats, with 28 in business class and 262 in economy. It is unlikely that the plane will be reconfigured in Air Seychelles’ product for just one-month.
“The introduction of non-stop flights to Paris marks an important milestone for Air Seychelles and for the country’s international connectivity, especially at this time,” explained Air Seychelles CEO Sandy Benoiton.
“France has always been a vital market for Seychelles, and this service will provide a convenient and comfortable travel option for both visitors and Seychellois travellers while supporting the continued growth of our tourism industry.”
The focus of this route is traffic travelling between the Seychelles and Western Europe. Looking at the carrier’s schedules, it offers very few connections on the Seychelles end of this flight. Instead, from Paris, the carrier hopes to offer “extensive onward connections” but did not clarify further.
The new route will help passengers avoid the Gulf hubs
The new route is catering to traffic that has been disrupted as a result of the Gulf conflict. The airline said that the direct link between the Seychelles and Europe provides “passengers with a reliable and efficient travel alternative during this period of global travel disruption.” Traffic flows from the Island to Europe typically route via the Gulf with Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates.
Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli attack on Iran and the latter’s retaliatory strikes, the Gulf’s primary airports have been forced to suspend operations. Schedules are only partially operating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.
The new route is catering to this traffic that is now unable to fly back to Europe. Combined, the three largest Gulf airlines operate up to four daily services to their respective hubs according to information from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Air Seychelles ditched widebody aircraft during its restructuring programme
In 2018, the company announced that it would be ending flights to Paris and Madagascar, returning its two A330-200s to Etihad Airways. At the time it also confirmed that it would be replacing its existing fleet of A320ceo aircraft with next-generation replacements, which ended up being A320neos.
The carrier decided to concentrate on more regional flights, including inter-island domestic operations connecting Mahé with Praslin. It also offers scenic flight packages and charter services.
It cited intensifying international competition as a reason for its withdrawal from the long-haul market in Europe. Air Seychelles specified that because flights to Paris constitute 30% of total passenger revenue it is “unsustainable” with the arrival of Europe’s larger airlines.
Etihad Airways had a 40% stake in the company since 2012, and sold it in April 2021.
Featured image: Etihad Airways
