This follows last week’s announcement that Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, would form a strategic partnership by taking a 40 per cent stake in the airline.

Complementing Etihad Airways’ existing four weekly services from Abu Dhabi to Mahé, March 12 will see Air Seychelles inaugurate two weekly return services on the route. Effectively, the new schedule will offer six direct services per week between Abu Dhabi and Mahé, increasing to seven per week from June 2012.

These Air Seychelles flights will operate on a Boeing 767-300ER series aircraft, in a two-class configuration, offering a total of 844 seats each week.

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Seychelles have already proven to be a hugely popular holiday destination amongst Etihad Airways guests.  With these additional two Air Seychelles weekly flights, we look forward to successfully serving the route, tourism and business at each end and beyond.”

Etihad Airways commenced services itself to the Seychelles on November 2, 2011.

Flight schedule

Source: Etihad Airways