Air Seychelles will introduce twice-weekly flights between Mahé and Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 20. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, returning on Wednesdays and Sundays, using an Airbus A320 Neo.

Flight HM262 will depart Mahé at 22h05 and arrive in Colombo at 03h50 the next day. Return flight HM263 will depart Colombo at 04h50 and arrive in Mahé at 07h35.

Chief Commercial Officer of Air Seychelles, Charles Johnson, said: “We’re very excited about this opportunity to link Seychelles with Sri Lanka, a destination in its own right with excellent tourist, medical and trading opportunities which all Seychellois will benefit from.

“In addition, our upcoming partnership with Sri Lankan Airlines will allow travellers to purchase a single ticket for travel beyond Colombo to other destinations in Asia.”

The destinations include India, Bangladesh, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Tokyo, as well as Melbourne and Sydney.

“This service will drastically reduce current travel times and at prices much lower than currently seen in the market,” he added.

Sandy Benoiton, Acting CEO of Air Seychelles, commented: “This is a high-potential market and we look forward to seeing what lies ahead.”