Farnborough: Air Seychelles takes delivery of its second Twin Otter

The third aircraft is also ready for delivery to the Seychelles national carrier

The Twin Otters are to be used as 19-passenger regional commuters, which will expand the key tourism routes for the domestic carrier. All four of the Otters will be in service by mid-2015.
Manoj Papa, Air Seychelles’ CEO, and David Curtis, Viking president & CEO, cracked open the Champagne to celebrate the handover at the show.
Papa said the flag carrier is in the final stages of securing regulatory clearances to begin flights to Mumbai and Madagascar, and says it is “ready to grow”.

“Mumbai is a destination where we see great demand from the markets on both sides. We are currently finalising the relevant regulatory approvals. Also we look to fly within the Vanilla Islands, including Madagascar,” he said. The Mahe-based airline is also interested in operating to “other points in Africa”, but Papa emphasised that the carrier would seek to expand into the region through its partnership with Etihad and codeshare partners rather than organic growth.

Additional frequencies to Mauritius will be possible from the fourth quarter with the arrival of a leased Airbus A320, Papa said.

Manoj Papa, Air Seychelles’ CEO, and David Curtis, Viking president & CEO, cracked open the Champagne to celebrate the handover at the show.