Air Seychelles - which was nominated for Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline at this year’s World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean gala ceremony - has unveiled its new livery and logo, which is the latest development for the carrier, which just days ago announced a new CEO and a new Board of Directors.

The rebranding project, which was spearheaded by the airline’s Organisational Development Department, includes a new logo and livery which focuses largely on nature and highlights the importance of the environment and the ecosystem in the Seychelles.

The airline’s Executive Chairman, Maurice Loustau Lalanne revealed: “The airline’s new livery and logo is based on the nature and the magnificent ecosystem that Seychelles boasts and is the muse behind the creation of the logo which is a fluid organic shape, like that of a leaf, has been adopted to signal our support for a greener Seychelles, and a greener Earth.”

Ms Hazel Ho Peng, who headed the project, explained the red and green colours have been used in different tones to add dimension and depth, and for a more leafy effect- the focus still being on nature. Ms Ho Peng explains that the trademark pair of Fairy Terns has been the Air Seychelles icon for many years.

She commented: “The pair of Fairy Terns, softened into an abstracted and flowing silhouette, is the primary visual symbol of Air Seychelles. Fairy Terns pair for life, and is a compelling manifestation of not only beauty, elegance, nature and flight, but of loyalty, unity and freedom.”

“ The word “air” is a lighter blue to signify the sky, while “Seychelles” is a darker blue, to signify the ocean. The colours used are commonly associated with The Seychelles- blue, green, red and white.

The striking colours with the abstracted images of the birds and leaves are aimed at evoking the Seychelles’ Creole spirit, which brings us to our tagline, “Flying the Creole Spirit”,” Ms Ho Peng said.

She added: “The Creole Spirit is the ‘experience of Seychelles in a nutshell’ and It embodies a distinct approach to, and celebration of, life that is unique to the Seychelles Islands. Evoking the sights, sounds and fragrances of Seychelles, it captures the spontaneous joie-de-vivre, passion and natural warmth of the Seychellois people and echoes an authentic and exotic island life rooted in a multi-ethnic unity and family values. It is a timeless way of living, in harmony with nature”.

Royal honeymoon destination

Earlier this year, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge honeymooned in the North Island resort on the Seychelles, where they spent ten days. After much speculation as to where they would visit, they settled on what has been described as ‘the paragon of tropical island escapes’.

Like many resorts in the Seychelles, the North Island - voted “Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort” 2010 World Travel Awards - boasts a number of green policies including coconut farming and the re-introduction of indigenous trees and birds including the Magpie Robin.

(North Island - voted “Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort 2010” by World Travel Awards played host to newly wed Prince William and Kate)

Prince William described the honeymoon with his new wife as “magical and amazing”. They stayed in booked Villa No 4 – one of a handful of luxury retreats scattered across the island – which costs almost £4,000 a night. But the pair had been forced to downgrade from a £6,000-a-night honeymoon villa as its location in the Takamaka Forest was deemed to be less secure.

Prince William told staff: “One of the main reasons we came here was because it’s a country that looks after its own environment, which is something that is close to my own heart.” North Island in particular prices itself on its eco credentials, and led to it being voted “Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort 2010” by World Travel Awards.

Click here to find out who will triumph at this year’s World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony that will take place in Abu Dhabi on 14 November. The winners of the Indian Ocean awards were announced at a spectacular ceremony in Egypt last week.