Aviation History
Air Seychelles was formed in 1977 through the merger of Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways, shortly after Seychelles' 1976 independence, and grew from inter-island Twin Otter services into an international carrier. The airline set a world distance record on its 1989 Boeing 767 delivery flight, later entered a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways (2012–2021), and is now again fully owned by the Seychelles government.
Air Seychelles was created on 15 September 1977 through the merger of Air Mahé and Inter-Island Airways, initially operating as Seychelles Airlines.
The carrier adopted the Air Seychelles name it retains today.
Air Seychelles began international service with a leased DC-10 operating to London via Frankfurt.
A Boeing 767-200ER delivery flight from Michigan, USA, to Mahé set a world distance record for a commercial twin-engine jet, covering 14,311 km nonstop.
Etihad Airways took a 40% equity stake in Air Seychelles as part of its network of minority airline investments.
Following Etihad's exit, the Government of Seychelles reacquired full ownership of Air Seychelles.
Air Seychelles
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