Published on
September 15, 2025
Seychelles is preparing to broaden its international air links just ahead of the 2025–2026 travel season, welcoming both familiar carriers back to its skies and one new player ready for its maiden journey. Turkish Airlines, Edelweiss, Condor, and Discover Airlines are set to launch new services or resume suspended routes, shoring up the archipelago’s reputation as the premier Indian Ocean getaway. For this tourism-driven nation, the revitalisation of air access is more than an operational decision; it is an integral ingredient for restoring the global visitor flow that has powered the economy for decades.
As the islands rebound from the pandemic and position themselves as contenders in the eco-tourism and luxury segments, fresh gains in airlift arrive at an opportune moment. Edelweiss, the Switzerland-headquartered leisure subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, will once again offer seasonal services from Zurich to Mahé, sailing back into the archipelago’s skies on 27 September 2025. The flights will operate through the traditional winter holiday surge, carrying Swiss and broader European vacationers in search of sandy beaches and temperate warmth during Europe’s chilly months. The planned return of Edelweiss will underscore the carriers’ faith in the Indian Ocean and reinforce one of Seychelles’ most foundational aviation corridors.
Starting in November 2025, Turkish Airlines will add a fourth weekly flight on the Istanbul–Mahé sector, continuing through the March 2026 shoulder season. By operating this additional service, the carrier aims to deliver a larger travel window for Turkish guests, plus for onward guests across the extended European and Middle Eastern regions, many of whom will connect seamlessly to Emirates and Qatar Airways.
Condor will revive its seasonal service to the Seychelles on 19 September 2025, resuming its German service with a weekly rotation through 15 May 2026. The restart will reopen direct connections from Germany to the archipelago and help consolidate the destination’s attractiveness for German leisure flyers looking for a tropical escape in the Indian Ocean region.
Confirming the sharpest capacity increase, Discover Airlines will inaugurate a two-flights-per-week service to the archipelago, with operations starting on 25 October 2025. While final gateways will be disclosed nearer the launch, the new carrier will furnish fresh competition, strengthening leisure capacity to the Seychelles from the European market. India, already well established with a growing number of package holiday professionals, is thus likely to respond with fresh seat projection.
Strengthening Seychelles’ Regional and Global Connections
Seychelles is building deeper regional and global links as new routes and longstanding airline partnerships come together. Major Middle Eastern carriers—Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad—remain the keystones of this system, offering daily options that funnel visitors seamlessly into the archipelago from the Gulf, Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
Carriers from closer Africa complete the picture. Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways feed East African markets with reliable links, while Chennai-based IndiGo links the islands directly to the Indian Subcontinent. The national airline, Air Seychelles, rounds out the network from critical nodes in the region, retaining routes to Tel Aviv and Johannesburg, and recently upgrading frequencies to Colombo and Mauritius. These elements combine to set the archipelago firmly between major regional and intercontinental gateways.
Enhancing Tourism with More Access
With added frequencies and new destinations, Seychelles is on track to consolidate its appeal to international visitors in the coming 2025–2026 travel season, translating enhanced access into measurable economic gain. The islands, already celebrated for exclusive resort offerings and sustainably packaged experiences, expect accelerated interest from Europe, the Middle East and expanding African markets. Enhanced interconnectivity from key hubs will drive new traffic eager to explore the archipelago’s unique ecosystems and world-class diving, translating runway metres into tangible rooftops and restaurant bookings.
Beyond leisure holidays, the improved air links now firmly establish Seychelles as an intercontinental base for eco-conscious and high-end voyagers, perfectly matching the worldwide shift toward sustainable, considered travel. Substantial investments in transport systems, conservation initiatives, and the safeguarding of cultural legacies guarantee that every visitor encounters an authentic, low-impact journey.
Reservations and Travel Guidance
Anyone dreaming of Seychelles can lock in travel now via new scheduled services and long-standing routes with leading carriers. Passengers can book directly through the online portals of Edelweiss, Turkish Airlines, Condor, and Discover Airlines, or via trusted travel advisers. The Seychelles Tourism Board website serves as the one-stop shop, offering the latest advice, fare queries, and modifications to any air timetable.
Long-Term Vision for Seychelles as a Travel Centre
Following the worldwide lift in mobility, Seychelles will introduce continually improved connections for inbound guests, all while sealing its reputation as a top-tier choice across the entire Indian Ocean. Ongoing upgrades to air routing will remain central to the country’s growth and position objectives over the next decade.
Seychelles is expanding its appeal by welcoming fresh flight routes and welcoming back favourite carriers, reaffirming its pledge to serve a wide spectrum of travellers and meet the surging appetite for eco-friendly tropical escapes. Nestled in the Indian Ocean, the archipelago offers jaw-dropping scenery, globally-recognized resorts, and a vibrant local heritage, securing its place as an essential stop for globetrotters.
