Air Seychelles boosts its fleet with fifth plane
21.07.2009
Air Seychelles’ fleet will be boosted this coming weekend as a fifth Boeing arrives, marking 20 years of B767 aircraft operations by the national airline.
The plane – a B767-300ER leased from the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and named Isle of Fregate – was built in 1999 and was until recently on a short-term lease with Hungarian national airline Malev.
Before that, it had been operated from new by the Dutch airline KLM. It is the third used Boeing 767 leased by Air Seychelles from the ILFC – the other two B767-300s were delivered new.
This weekend’s arrival will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the very first B767-200ER being delivered to Air Seychelles in July 1989.
This made history as it set a world twin-engine long-distance record. The flight began on July 26 in Grand Rapids, USA, and landed in Mahe after covering a great circle distance of 14,332 km in 16hr 49min 29sec. It landed in Seychelles on July 27.
Air Seychelles’ executive chairman, Captain David Savy, said: “The acquisition of a fifth Boeing will primarily be a back-up aircraft to our current fleet and also help during heavy maintenance checks of other aircraft so as to avoid costly leases.
“In the eventuality of opening up new routes, the fifth Boeing will be able to help and also add capacity when needed at peak times.”
He stressed the importance of ensuring that the airline is equipped and staffed to prepare for an eventual tourism rebound.
“I have been long enough in this industry to realise that the key to managing a successful airline is not to dwell on the present but rather try to predict the future and make adequate provisions for eventualities,” added Captain Savy.
“As a country, we have managed to dampen the effects of the world economic crisis by remaining focused and taking action in a timely manner. In the year to date we have registered only a 6% drop in visitor numbers, which is far better than expected.
“We now need to learn lessons and prepare for eventual growth so as to take advantage of being in a buyers’ market when it comes to aircraft acquisition.”
The new arrival is of an extended range type powered by General Electric CF6 B6F engines and registered as S7-FCS (Flying the Creole Spirit).
Seating will be in a two-class configuration with 30 Pearl Class and 190 economy class seats.
The other four Boeings in Air Seychelles’ fleet are the 767-300 AHM Vallée de Mai, the 767-300 ASY Aldabra, the 767-200 ILF Amirantes and the 767-200 S7-SEZ Isle of Bijoutier.
As an all-B767 international operator, Air Seychelles is in effect one of the world’s most experienced operators of this type of aircraft. Its flight crew and engineering staff are thoroughly versed in operating and maintaining these planes, which is very much in the national airline’s favour.
The local captains have accumulated thousands of flight hours on this aircraft type and are fully conversant with conditions locally and at Air Seychelles’ destinations. This is an important factor when it comes to overall safety management.
The fleet is all leased through a finance agreement with the ILFC, the world’s biggest and largest aircraft leasing company. This month, Air Seychelles and the corporation celebrate 20 years as business partners.