Air Seychelles Strengthens Operations Through Short-Term ACMI Lease with Smartwings
Air Seychelles has successfully concluded a short-term Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) lease arrangement with Smartwings, a collaboration facilitated by aviation brokerage firm Zela Aviation to support the airline’s operational requirements during a high-demand travel period.
The agreement saw Smartwings provide a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft to the Seychelles national carrier for slightly over a month, allowing Air Seychelles to reinforce its fleet capacity and maintain uninterrupted service to passengers during a particularly busy season for the island destination.
Industry observers note that such short-term leasing arrangements are increasingly common within the aviation sector, enabling airlines to manage seasonal traffic surges, address temporary fleet shortages and maintain operational resilience without committing to long-term aircraft acquisitions.
In this case, the arrangement was brokered by Zela Aviation, an aviation specialist known for facilitating aircraft leasing, charter services and aircraft sales across global markets. The company coordinated the agreement between the two airlines, ensuring that the aircraft and accompanying support services were deployed efficiently.
Chairman of Zela Aviation, Andreas Christodoulides, described the partnership as an example of the effectiveness of ACMI solutions in helping airlines respond quickly to operational demands.
He noted that the arrangement not only allowed Air Seychelles to maintain its flight schedules and service standards but also enabled Smartwings to deploy its aircraft productively during the winter period, which often brings varying demand patterns across global aviation markets.
“We are pleased to have supported this ACMI lease between Air Seychelles and Smartwings,” Christodoulides said. “The operation ran smoothly and highlights how ACMI solutions can provide flexibility and operational efficiency for airlines. It also demonstrates how such agreements benefit both suppliers and customers.”
Christodoulides further noted that the collaboration illustrates the importance of strategic partnerships within the aviation industry, particularly when airlines need rapid solutions to address operational or seasonal challenges.
Air Seychelles also expressed appreciation for the cooperation from both Smartwings and Zela Aviation. The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Charles Johnson, explained that the partnership proved particularly valuable given the logistical complexities associated with operating in an island nation located far from many major aviation hubs.
According to Johnson, the additional capacity provided by the Smartwings aircraft ensured that the airline could maintain the operational reliability and customer service standards for which it is known.
“We greatly appreciate the cooperation with Smartwings, facilitated by Zela Aviation. While Seychelles is a challenging and isolated part of the world, the partnership provided additional capacity that allowed us to maintain the operational excellence and service delivery our passengers expect,” he said.
Air Seychelles has operated as the national carrier of the Republic of Seychelles for more than four decades. The airline is wholly owned by the government and plays a crucial role in connecting the Indian Ocean archipelago with key regional destinations.
From its hub in Mahé, the airline operates international flights to cities including Johannesburg, Mauritius, Colombo and Abu Dhabi using modern Airbus A320neo aircraft. Domestically, it runs frequent services to Praslin Island – one of the country’s major tourist destinations – operating as many as 30 return flights daily using its fleet of Twin Otter aircraft.
In addition to passenger transport, Air Seychelles provides ground-handling services for major international and private airlines operating through Seychelles.
The airline has also gained international recognition for its service standards.
At the 2025 World Travel Awards, Air Seychelles was honoured as the “Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline”, while also receiving awards for “Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Economy Class” and “Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew.”
Smartwings, the airline that supplied the aircraft for the lease, is the largest carrier in the Czech Republic and part of the Smartwings Group. The group also operates subsidiaries in Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, and provides scheduled passenger services, charter flights and private jet operations.
The airline is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has repeatedly earned the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification, a global benchmark for safety and operational standards in the aviation industry.
Meanwhile, Zela Aviation, established in 2006, continues to expand its presence in the global aviation services market. With offices in Cyprus, Greece and the United Kingdom, the company supports airlines and aviation operators in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas through a wide range of leasing and brokerage services.
The successful completion of the ACMI lease underscores the importance of flexible fleet strategies in an industry that must constantly adapt to shifting travel demand, operational constraints and global market conditions.
