Air Seychelles is temporarily restoring long-haul flights to Paris, a move made possible by leasing a Boeing 787-9 from Etihad Airways. This unusual arrangement highlights the ripple effects of recent instability in Middle Eastern air travel, which has left smaller airlines like Air Seychelles scrambling to maintain international connectivity. The service, running between March 22 and April 29, 2026, will operate three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, using the following schedule:
- HM1008: Mahe (SEZ) to Paris (CDG), departing 9:00 AM, arriving 5:30 PM.
- HM1007: Paris (CDG) to Mahe (SEZ), departing 7:30 PM, arriving 7:30 AM (+1 day).
The route, covering 4,871 miles, will feature a 10-hour and 30-minute flight to France and a 10-hour flight to the Seychelles. The Etihad 787-9 will accommodate 290 passengers, including 28 in business class and 262 in economy.
The Context: Why This Matters
The Seychelles heavily relies on tourism, and disruptions to flights through Gulf hubs – common transit points for many routes – directly impact its economy. Air Seychelles’ fleet consists of smaller regional aircraft (Airbus A320neos and DHC-6 Twin Otters), making it unable to serve long-haul destinations independently. Leasing from Etihad provides a short-term solution while global air travel remains volatile.
The arrangement is mutually beneficial: Air Seychelles can maintain service, and Etihad can monetize an aircraft that may have limited demand due to ongoing regional conflicts. The operation will be conducted as a wet lease, meaning Etihad crews will operate the flights.
According to Air Seychelles CEO Sandy Benoiton, the Paris route is “an important milestone for the country’s international connectivity,” offering a convenient travel option for visitors and Seychellois alike.
A Return to the Past
This move marks a revival of a route Air Seychelles previously operated until 2018. At that time, Etihad held a 40% stake in the airline and pushed for expansion, including long-haul flights using Airbus A330s. However, a restructuring in 2018 led to the cancellation of these routes and the return of the A330s.
The fact that Etihad now leases an aircraft to Air Seychelles, despite no longer owning equity in the airline, is noteworthy. It suggests a pragmatic business decision rather than a strategic partnership. Etihad sold its stake in 2021, but the companies maintain a working relationship.
Bottom Line
Air Seychelles is temporarily resuming flights to Paris using an Etihad Boeing 787-9, a response to disruptions in global air travel and the airline’s limited fleet capacity. The move underscores the adaptability of smaller airlines in a volatile market, as well as the continued (if now purely commercial) relationship between Air Seychelles and Etihad. This service is expected to operate only for a limited time, providing a temporary lifeline for tourism and international connectivity.
