Flying to the Seychelles

General Information

While around fifteen islands in the Seychelles have airstrips, only Praslin and especially Mahé actually have an airport. Even then, Praslin’s airport only handles Air Seychelles flights from the capital, Victoria—still accounting for over 150,000 passengers a year. In short, if you’re coming from abroad, you’ll inevitably land on the main island at Seychelles International Airport. As the national carrier’s hub, it welcomes around 750,000 passengers annually (726,500 in 2013), arriving from fewer than twenty cities worldwide with direct flights.

Types of Flights

Local Airlines

Apart from small local operators offering on-demand helicopter or light aircraft flights (Zil Air, IDC), there’s only one airline in the country: Air Seychelles, the national carrier. It serves just a handful of cities globally, including Paris.

Charters, Scheduled, and Low-Cost Flights

The Seychelles are primarily a scheduled-flight destination. The only charters are local routes between Mahé and the archipelago’s smaller islands.

Promotions and Special Offers

Promotions for the Seychelles aren’t unique to the destination but reflect airline-wide deals that include the islands. However, there are special offers for all-inclusive packages that cover flights to the Seychelles.

From France and Europe

Direct flights from Europe to the archipelago are limited, mostly to Paris (and occasionally Frankfurt with Condor). Air Seychelles operates the route, which, while direct, isn’t always non-stop. Flights can be quite long—at best 12 to 13 hours, and at worst over a day with layovers. Round-trip fares from Paris to Mahé range from 650 to 900 €.

From the Rest of Africa

From Elsewhere

Seychelles International Airport

This is the Seychelles’ only "real" airport, handling all international visitors.

Name: Seychelles International Airport

IATA Code: SEZ

Hub: Air Seychelles.

Number of Terminals: 1.

Annual Passenger Capacity:

Passenger Traffic: 726,500 passengers (2013)

Distance from City Centre: 11 km southeast of Victoria.

Website: http://www.scaa.sc