Air Seychelles Adds Viking Series 400 Twin Otters to Expanding Fleet
Viking Twin Otter Series 400 Selected Aircraft-of-Choice for
Air Seychelles, Etihad Airways Equity Partner
Mahe, Seychelles, October 30th, 2013: Viking Air Limited of Victoria, BC, Canada and Air
Seychelles, the national airline of Seychelles, have this week signed an agreement for three
additional Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft to expand the regional carrier’s fleet.
After the successful entry into service of their first Series 400, Air Seychelles returns to Viking to triple
their initial aircraft order and bring their fleet total to four Series 400 Twin Otters. The new aircraft,
scheduled for delivery starting in 2015, will be configured as standard 19-passenger commercial
landplanes and put into operation as domestic carriers throughout the Seychelles archipelago.
David Curtis, Viking president & CEO, remarked “Air Seychelles has been a long time and loyal
operator of the Twin Otter, and was one of the first customers to commit to the new Viking Series 400
Twin Otter during development. They put a great deal of faith in Viking and our ability to deliver, and
their return to Viking for additional aircraft speaks to Air Seychelles’ ongoing commitment and
confidence in the Twin Otter Series 400.” He continued, “We value the relationship we have
developed with Air Seychelles, and its shareholder, Etihad Airways, and are honoured that Air
Seychelles has made the Twin Otter Series 400 their aircraft of choice in the 19-passenger category.”
”These aircraft are designed for Short Take-offs and Landings, and are robust in extreme conditions
– something we have a lot of experience with in the Seychelles since the Twin Otters were first
introduced here in the early 1980s.” commented Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer.
He added, “The new aircraft are the right tools at the right time for Air Seychelles.”
Air Seychelles was established in 1978 and began long-haul service in 1983. The airline currently
offers international flights to Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, and Mauritius. Air Seychelles
also offers more than 200 domestic scheduled flights a week throughout the archipelago, as well as
domestic charter services. As the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles is a
pillar of tourism, the island nation’s strongest and growing economic sector. The airline maintains a
strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and 40 per
cent stakeholder.
With Viking aircraft in operation in 18 countries worldwide and a backlog exceeding $400M, the
Series 400 Twin Otter is now confirmed as the best-selling next generation turbo-prop aircraft in its
class. Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland legacy aircraft (DHC-1
through DHC-7) and forms part of Westerkirk Capital Inc, a Canadian private investment firm with
substantial holdings in the hospitality, aviation, and real estate sectors.