Emirates opens office in Seychelles capital

Emirates airline has inaugurated its new offices in Victoria, capital of the Seychelles, company officials said.

The new offices represented a landmark not only for Emirates, but also in terms of ties between the Seychelles and the UAE, said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group.

Shaikh Ahmad was in Victoria to open the new office and attend the ceremony marking the occasion yesterday. Joseph Belmont, Vice-President of the Seychelles, was also present.

"Emirates appreciates the opportunity the Government of the Republic of Seychelles has given us by allowing us to launch this direct route between our two countries.

"Travellers to and from the Seychelles will benefit from our new services," Shaikh Ahmad said.

"The new Emirates flights provide customers from Europe, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent with a convenient one-stop connection to the Seychelles via our Dubai hub."

Shaikh Ahmad also called on James Michel, President of Seychelles.

Shaikh Ahmad conveyed greetings from President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, to President Michel.

The Seychelles is Emirates airline's 78th destination and the first to join the Emirates network in 2005, company officials said.

The airline operates a three-times-a-week service between Dubai and the Seychelles, company officials said.