Chennai: Flying to Seychelles is going to be expensive by at least 50% as Air Seychelles withdraws its weekly flight from Chennai to the island nation from June 1.
Air Seychelles started a flight from Chennai to Seychelles in November 2010 and is operating a service every Wednesday. The airline also had plans to make Chennai a hub for Asia.
The move to withdraw its flight will affect Seychelles citizens who fly to Chennai for medical treatment and travellers from Chennai who used to fly to the island for leisure. The archipelago in the Indian Ocean is a favourite honeymoon destination.
"A couple travelled today to Seychelles on honeymoon. The direct flight made the world famous honeymoon destination affordable for Chennaiites. After the flight is withdrawn, travellers will have to fly via Dubai or Singapore. This will push up the cost by over 50%," said M K Ajith Kumar, president, Asia Pacific Tours. Currently a return ticket costs Rs 25,000.
Air Seychelles was operating Singapore-Chennai-Seychelles and Seychelles-Chennai-Singapore. But the airline did not have rights to pick up passengers from Chennai to Singapore and vice versa.
Sources say that this was a disadvantage to the airline which dented its profitability in the sector.
12/05/11 V Ayyappan/Times of India
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