Bristol Airport will be offering direct flights to Dubai and the Seychelles for the first time thanks to a partnership with private jet specialist Air Charter Service (ACS) and Air Seychelles.

The airport will offer a short series of charter flights direct to Dubai, with an onward service to the Seychelles, to coincide with Easter and the early May bank holiday in 2022. 

Flights will take place on Air Seychelles’ A32neo aircraft, which features three cabins - Premium Club; Economy Space, which includes a blocked middle seat; and Economy Class.

ACS said the Bristol to Dubai and Seychelles flying programme would be the first of many “exciting and unique” seat-only offerings aimed at specific markets. 

“With British travellers desperate to get away and experience something a little different, this flying programme offers just that, and we have purposely timed it to coincide with Easter and the May Bank holiday next year,” said group travel services director, Caroline Wood.

“From Bristol, passengers can choose to fly directly into Dubai Al Maktoum or continue on to Mahe in the Seychelles. These exciting trips are the first flights to the Middle East and Indian Ocean from Bristol and open up a new opportunity for a convenient regional departure.”

Shaun Browne, head of airline relations at Bristol Airport, said: “This is a truly exciting project for Bristol Airport, opening up our region to new destinations is one of our primary goals.

“We are thrilled Air Seychelles will be offering direct flights from Bristol Airport to Dubai and the Seychelles for the first time and thank Air Charter Service for taking the initiative to offer these exciting destinations from the South West – it’s been a triumph of teamwork. 

“We continue to work with Air Charter Service and Air Seychelles with the vision to offer other exciting destinations for the future.” 

Charles Johnson, chief commercial officer at Air Seychelles, added: “We are delighted to be operating this exciting flying programme in conjunction with Air Charter Service – one which marks our inaugural operation from Bristol Airport.

“We operated many flights with ACS last year as they helped our aircraft to keep on flying throughout the pandemic. We will be configuring our aircraft to provide additional comfort to the passengers and our friendly crew are looking forward to welcoming passengers on board for their flights to the Middle East and the stunning islands of the Seychelles next April and May.”