Within the space of three weeks, three major international airlines have resumed or announced the resumption of flights to the Seychelles. Qatar Airways on June 16th, Turkish Airlines on June 17th, and Aeroflot from July 8th, 2026. After a year of tourism hardship, the archipelago is regaining visibility in key markets.
Three Airlines, Three Strategic Markets
Qatar Airways resumes four weekly flights to Mahé, reopening the tap for tourism from the Gulf and Asia via Doha. Turkish Airlines follows the next day with three weekly frequencies, primarily targeting European and Middle Eastern travellers transiting through Istanbul. Aeroflot, suspended since the Ukraine crisis, reopens two weekly rotations — Wednesdays and Saturdays — from Moscow, a comeback eagerly awaited by hotel operators counting on Russian visitors, historically among the highest-spending in the archipelago.
A Context of Deep Tourism Crisis
These resumptions follow a particularly difficult period. The first half of 2026 saw an 11.7% drop in tourist arrivals, pushing Seychelles GDP into negative territory (−0.1% in Q1 2026). The Central Bank held its benchmark rate at 1.75% to support activity amid sluggish demand. The Middle East crisis diverted part of the premium international clientele, at the very moment when Gulf carriers were suspending or reducing their connections to the archipelago.
A Brightening Horizon
Before Covid, the Seychelles recorded average annual tourism growth of 6.5%. These route resumptions — to which other European, Asian and Middle Eastern carriers could soon be added ahead of the high season — represent an encouraging signal. Hotel operators are hoping to make up for lost ground before year-end.
Why It Matters
Tourism is the economic backbone of the Seychelles, accounting for nearly 70% of GDP and foreign exchange earnings. Without direct air links to source markets, the archipelago five-star hotels and premium resorts cannot fill their rooms. These three simultaneous resumptions signal that the archipelago is regaining its place in major network flight plans — and potentially in the itineraries of affluent travellers seeking pristine destinations.