Air Seychelles Resumes Long Haul Flights, Temporarily, Using Etihad 787

Why It Matters

Restoring the Paris link bolsters Seychelles' tourism revenue and demonstrates how small airlines can use wet‑leases to overcome fleet limitations during market disruptions.

Key Takeaways

• Air Seychelles leases Etihad 787‑9 for Paris flights
• Service runs March 22–April 29, three times weekly
• 290‑seat configuration: 28 business, 262 economy
• Route revival after eight‑year hiatus since 2018
• Wet‑lease mitigates Gulf hub disruptions, fuels tourism

Pulse Analysis

Air Seychelles, the flag carrier of the Indian Ocean archipelago, has announced a temporary resumption of nonstop service between Mahé and Paris, scheduled from 22 March to 29 April 2026. Because its current fleet of A320neos and Twin Otters cannot cover the 4,871‑mile sector, the airline entered a short‑term wet‑lease agreement with Etihad Airways for a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner. The aircraft will operate three weekly rotations, offering 290 seats—28 in business class and the remainder in economy—providing a direct European gateway that the country has lacked since 2018.

Etihad’s 787‑9, temporarily idle after the recent Middle‑East disruptions, finds a new revenue stream through the wet‑lease, while retaining its crew and maintenance responsibilities. This arrangement revives a historic link: Etihad once owned a 40 % stake in Air Seychelles and helped launch the original Paris service with A330s. By supplying the aircraft and personnel, Etihad not only monetises surplus capacity but also reinforces its strategic pivot toward asset‑light partnerships. For Air Seychelles, the deal circumvents the capital outlay required to acquire a long‑haul type, preserving cash for other operational priorities.

The short‑term Paris link underscores how small carriers can leverage wet‑leases to maintain network relevance during geopolitical turbulence. By restoring a key European market, Air Seychelles bolsters tourism receipts, which account for the majority of the islands’ GDP. Observers will watch whether the partnership evolves into a longer‑term code‑share or whether the airline will seek its own wide‑body aircraft once market conditions stabilise. Either way, the move illustrates a growing trend of capacity‑sharing agreements that help niche airlines stay competitive without heavy fleet investment.