Seychelles Welcomes Back Four International Airlines
The Seychelles, an idyllic archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has announced the return of four international airlines, a development poised to invigorate its tourism-driven economy. On September 20, 2024, the national tourism board, Tourism Seychelles, confirmed that the German leisure airline Condor has resumed its flights from Frankfurt (FRA) to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the island of Mahé, operating an Airbus A330-900neo for the nine-hour journey.
Following Condor’s lead, Swiss leisure carrier Edelweiss Air launched its inaugural flight to Seychelles on September 21, 2024, providing a direct service from Zurich (ZRH) using an Airbus A340-300. The return of these two airlines significantly enhances the Seychelles’ connectivity to Europe, a crucial market that annually attracts thousands of visitors to the picturesque islands.
In addition to these European carriers, Aeroflot, Russia’s national airline, is set to resume flights to the Seychelles on October 2, 2024, with two weekly flights from Moscow. Turkish Airlines will also return to the archipelago on October 28, 2024, offering four rotations per week from Istanbul. These additions are expected to provide travelers with a broader range of convenient options for reaching the islands.
“The return of these carriers signals a significant boost for the tourism industry, offering tourists a wider range of convenient flight options to reach the islands,” stated a representative from Tourism Seychelles. “These flights will create crucial links between Seychelles and key European hubs, enhancing accessibility for travelers from around the globe.”
Earlier in 2024, Tourism Seychelles announced the launch of the first direct, non-stop charter flights between Seychelles and Chengdu, China, operated by Sichuan Airlines. Set to begin operations in the last quarter of 2024, this new route aims to tap into the vast Chinese travel market, further solidifying Seychelles as a premier global tourism destination.
Bernadette Willemin, Director General for Destination Marketing at Tourism Seychelles, expressed enthusiasm about the return of these key airline partners. “As a small island nation dependent on tourism, this development is expected to invigorate the nation’s tourism industry by increasing the influx of visitors. The enhanced connectivity will allow more travelers from around the world to experience the unique offerings of our islands,” she said.
Tourism Seychelles remains committed to fostering collaborations with both current and potential airline partners to improve accessibility to the islands. These efforts aim to expand flight options and ensure that Seychelles is well-positioned to attract a diverse array of international visitors.
While national carrier Air Seychelles once operated several European routes, it now focuses on inter-island and regional flights with a fleet of just two Airbus A320neos and four De Havilland Canada DHC-6 turboprops. The carrier currently serves eight routes to seven countries, connecting the larger island resorts within the archipelago.
With the return of these international airlines, the Seychelles is set to regain its status as a top travel destination, enhancing its appeal to global travelers seeking sun-soaked beaches and unique cultural experiences.