Air Seychelles, the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, celebrated the graduation of seven Seychellois engineers who have completed a comprehensive training program with Etihad Airways.
Antoine Francois, Cliffton Leon, Damien Azemia, Erol Agricole, Hervé Toulon, Mario DeSylva and Marlon Nourrice embarked on the four-year course in September 2012, where they learnt about both the theoretical and practical components of aircraft maintenance engineering.
The engineers were congratulated on their accomplishment at a special ceremony attended by Christoph Schippel, General Manager Operations of Air Seychelles; Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Engineering; Faisal Al-Mulla, Senior Manager Graduate Engineering Programme at Etihad Airways; and Kevin Pereira, Head of Engineering Training at Etihad Airways.
Roy Kinnear, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re delighted to welcome home our talented engineers and congratulate them for successfully finishing one of the top aircraft maintenance engineering programs in the world.”
“The four-year program enabled our engineers to gain a wealth of experience with modern Airbus aircraft that form the backbone of our international fleet, made possible by our partnership with Etihad Airways.”
“Their graduation once again demonstrates our commitment to the professional development of Seychellois youth, as well as the emphasis we place on human resources which is vital for securing the future of Air Seychelles.”
Jeff Wilkinson said: “We offer our congratulations to the seven engineers who today celebrate their graduation from the Etihad Airways Graduate Engineering Training program. This graduation ceremony marks a significant moment in their careers as they look forward to a great future with Air Seychelles.”
“Over the past four years these men have gained knowledge and valuable hands-on experience on technologically advanced aircraft as they immersed themselves in an organization of engineering excellence. We are confident they will be an asset to their national carrier as they use the skills and knowledge they acquired at Etihad Airways Engineering’s world-class facility in Abu Dhabi.”
The theory sessions fulfilled European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) requirements for an aircraft maintenance engineering license. Courses included aviation regulations, digital techniques and aerodynamics.
The practical component of the course covered various aspects of line maintenance and engineering checks on Airbus aircraft, such as the A320s and A330s in the Air Seychelles fleet, all the way up to the A380s, the world’s largest passenger aircraft operated by Etihad Airways.
Air Seychelles engineers graduate from Etihad Airways training program
Air Seychelles engineers graduate from Etihad Airways training program
LuLu expands specialty coffee footprint in KSA with Sulalat
LuLu Group has signed a landmark MoU with Sulalat Coffee during the 5th edition of World of Coffee Dubai trade show. This exclusive retail partnership is designed to enhance the specialty coffee offerings across LuLu Hypermarkets in Saudi Arabia, meeting the growing demand for premium coffee experiences within the region.
The agreement was signed by Mohamed Haris, director, Saudi Arabia, LuLu Group, and Abdulelah Al-Murqi, marketing director, Sulalat Coffee. Through this collaboration, LuLu Group will provide a dedicated platform for Sulalat’s specialty-grade beans, which are globally sourced and roasted in Riyadh. This initiative ensures that world-class coffee quality, previously reserved for niche aficionados, is now readily accessible to coffee lovers throughout the Kingdom.
By partnering with Sulalat Coffee, LuLu Group is integrating artisanal expertise with large-scale retail excellence. Sulalat has been a pioneer in the specialty coffee movement in the region, and this partnership allows LuLu to showcase unique varieties and professional-grade roasting. The collaboration reflects a shared vision to celebrate the thriving local coffee culture and deliver an unparalleled selection of premium products to everyday consumers.
In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, this partnership reinforces LuLu Group’s commitment to empowering homegrown brands and fostering economic diversification within the Kingdom. By providing a global stage for local excellence at events like World of Coffee Dubai, LuLu continues to support the growth of a vibrant private sector and a sustainable retail ecosystem.
As the premier platform for the industry, World of Coffee Dubai 2026 highlights the rapid growth and innovation within the regional coffee scene. With the event attracting more than 17,000 visitors and hundreds of global exhibitors, it provides a vital stage for industry leaders to connect.
