Seychelles open despite flight disruptions: more routes from Europe and Africa to Mahé with transfers in the Middle East

Seychelles remains open in early March 2026: the destination is operating as usual, travelers reroute outside the Middle East

Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean whose economy relies heavily on tourism, remains operational and accessible to international travelers, despite disruptions that in recent days have affected part of global air traffic via Middle Eastern hubs. According to information published on 02 March 2026 in international tourism channels, air traffic to Mahé continues, and tourist services and infrastructure on the islands operate without extraordinary restrictions.

In practice, this means that travelers who previously used transfers in Gulf hubs are increasingly choosing alternative entry points within the network: European and African connections and some Asian routes allow arrival in Seychelles even when some services via the Middle East are reduced, delayed, or temporarily suspended. For travelers planning a longer stay or wanting to be flexible with dates, it is useful to check local logistics in advance, including accommodation offers on Mahé if the goal is a fast transfer to beaches, nature parks, or departure points for other islands.

Wider context: why routes via the Middle East have become uncertain

The disruptions did not arise because of the situation in Seychelles itself, but due to evolving security and operational circumstances in the Middle East region, where parts of the airspace were temporarily closed or restricted, and some airports operated with reduced capacity. Several aviation and travel media reported that broader air restrictions and diversions affected commercial flights, with a wave of cancellations, delays, and route changes, especially on routes that typically use Gulf hubs for connections to Africa and the Indian Ocean.

In such circumstances, tourists and business travelers more often seek itineraries that do not depend on a single connection, but have a “backup” option: arrival via Europe, via East Africa, or through a combination of Asian connections. In this sense, Seychelles is in a specific position: although Gulf carriers are important for the destination’s overall accessibility, the archipelago has long been developing a network that includes European seasonal flights, African carriers, and its own regional and international services.

Operational status on Mahé: commercial flights and services are operating

Official structures in the civil aviation sector have been further reorganized in recent years to more clearly separate the regulatory function from the operational management of airports, and the operational management of the international airport on Mahé falls under the responsibility of the Seychelles Airports Authority. During 2025, this institution repeatedly communicated the expansion of the flight network and the strengthening of partnerships, with an emphasis on passenger experience and security standards in line with international rules.

In one of the more important events for the European market, at the end of October 2025 Mahé welcomed the inaugural Discover Airlines flight, during which the airport leadership emphasized that the airport was then served by 11 regular (scheduled) airlines and connected 15 direct destinations, which indirectly opens a large number of onward connections. Such a baseline network now gains additional weight, because during periods of disruption travelers can more easily rearrange their trip without relying exclusively on a single region.

For travelers arriving late in the evening or wanting to spend the first night close to the airport for an easier transfer, it is practical to secure in advance accommodation close to the location of events and arrivals and plan local transport to Victoria or coastal tourist areas.

Key alternatives for arrival: Europe, Africa, and Asia

The clearest message from communications by the tourism sector and the airport is that alternatives are already available and are expanding further. In the 2025/2026 season and through spring 2026, several European and other points stand out that enable arrival on Mahé without a necessary transfer in Gulf hubs or with minimal reliance on them.

European connections: Swiss, Turkish, and German channels increase choice

Tourism Seychelles, in an announcement about strengthening global connectivity, stated the return and continuation of seasonal flights from Europe, with precise dates and operating periods:

• Edelweiss announced the continuation of seasonal direct flights from Zurich from 27 September, with operations through May 2026.
• Turkish Airlines planned operations on the Istanbul–Mahé route from November 2025 to March 2026, with an increase in weekly frequency from three to four flights.
• Condor was to re-establish routes from Germany from 19 September 2025, with an extension of operations to Seychelles until 15 May 2026.
• Discover Airlines introduced inaugural flights on 25 October 2025, with two flights per week in the winter season 2025/2026, further strengthening the German arrival channel.

For travelers from Croatia and the region, this is operationally important for two reasons. First, these European points offer various connection options from Central and Southeastern Europe with relatively predictable itineraries. Second, when part of the global network enters a mode of extraordinary adjustments, European departures often become an “anchor” for a more stable travel plan, especially if the trip is combined with pre-booked accommodation and transfers on the islands.

In that context, travelers who want to stay close to urban amenities and logistics (shops, banks, excursion departure points) may find it relevant to check accommodation in Victoria and the surrounding area, especially if car rental or an early departure to ports and ferry links is planned.

African and Asian connections: regional carriers as a “plan B”

The same Tourism Seychelles announcement emphasizes that the European offer builds on a broader “robust” system of connections that includes Africa and Asia. Examples cited include:

• IndiGo as a link to Mumbai, which opens options for arrivals from the Indian market and for travelers who use Indian hubs as an alternative.
• Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways as regional partners that ensure access via African hubs, which in practice can be crucial in periods when travel via other regions becomes complicated.

Such connections add value because African hubs, with appropriate onward links, can serve as a more stable corridor to the Indian Ocean, especially for travelers arriving from Europe or other parts of Africa. Given that seat availability and schedules can vary from week to week, the recommendation to travelers is to follow carriers’ direct notices and to build a time “buffer” into the itinerary for connections.

The role of the national carrier: seasonal services and regional connectivity

Tourism Seychelles further notes that Air Seychelles complements the network with its own international routes, including seasonal flights to Tel Aviv, Mauritius, Johannesburg, and Colombo. Such routes, combined with partnerships and codeshare arrangements, can be key to assembling alternative journeys, especially when travelers seek to avoid multiple connections.

Independent services that track flight networks also display Air Seychelles’ current destinations from Mahé, including the points mentioned, along with Abu Dhabi as one of the important links. However, in periods when operations in parts of the Middle Eastern airspace are variable, travelers will in practice more often look for configurations that rely on Europe or Africa, or on a combination of segments with fewer “critical” connections.

What this means for travelers: recommendations and administrative steps

In a situation where schedules can change from day to day, the most important advice to travelers is to rely on official carrier channels and competent institutions and to keep the travel plan sufficiently flexible. From tourism communications that track current disruptions, several practical points follow:

• If the carrier or time changes, travelers should check requirements related to travel authorizations and updating the itinerary.
• For entry to Seychelles, travelers are directed to the official Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) platform where necessary forms and travel checks are submitted.
• The Seychelles Airports Authority, on passenger pages, also directs travelers to complete immigration and related forms via the official portal and to follow official instructions for entry and exit from the country.

Additionally, international recommendations and travel advisories (for example, those published by government institutions of major source markets) generally remind travelers to follow local laws, security information, and entry conditions, especially during periods of global air-traffic disruptions.

Logistically, travelers who want to minimize stress upon arrival are often helped by planning the first 24–48 hours: checking transfers, ferry availability or domestic flights to other islands, and confirming reservations. If the trip is tied to events, weddings, or business obligations, it is useful to book earlier accommodation for visitors on Mahé and keep the option to change dates without large penalties, wherever possible.

How the destination positions itself: accessibility as a key element of tourism policy

In messages sent by Tourism Seychelles, the strategic importance of reliable air connectivity for the national economy is clearly emphasized. The Director for Destination Marketing, Bernadette Willemin, in the context of the return and arrival of European carriers, highlighted that additional services strengthen the existing partner network and that reliable connectivity is vital for the tourism industry, with the message that an ever-wider mix of routes positions Seychelles as an accessible and attractive destination globally.

On the other hand, the airport, through communications about new routes, emphasizes operational capacity and the expansion of the number of destinations, which is especially important in crisis periods: greater network “density” also means greater resilience, because travelers can be redistributed onto other arrival paths. This is also one of the reasons why tourism circles increasingly talk about diversifying access points rather than relying on a single dominant transfer region.

What cannot currently be stated without reservation

Although the core message is that Seychelles remains open and operational, several elements remain variable and depend on daily decisions by regulators, airlines, and security assessments:

• It is not possible to guarantee in advance the stability of all routes that in any segment pass through zones with temporary airspace restrictions.
• Flight frequencies may change in the short term, and some travelers may be rebooked to other days or other carriers, depending on capacity availability.
• In the event of major disruptions, ad hoc measures are possible (e.g., additional charter flights), but details depend on partners and current operational capabilities.

Therefore, travelers are advised to check flight status before departure, baggage rules in case of a carrier change, and entry conditions and travel authorizations. In addition, it is good to have an island-arrival plan that includes a backup transport and overnight option, especially for late arrivals or connections that carry a higher risk of delay. In such scenarios, pre-arranged accommodation close to the arrival point can be a practical “safety net” until the continuation of travel to other islands is confirmed.

Sources:
- Tourism Seychelles – announcement on expanded global connectivity and seasonal European routes (Edelweiss, Turkish Airlines, Condor, Discover Airlines) and mention of IndiGo/Ethiopian/Kenya Airways (link)
- Seychelles Airports Authority – press release on the inaugural Discover Airlines flight, the number of scheduled carriers and direct destinations, and context of network expansion (link)
- Seychelles Airports Authority (passenger information) – directing travelers to the official portal for immigration forms and procedures (link)
- Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) – official Government platform for travel authorizations and forms (link)
- The Points Guy – overview of air disruptions and airspace closures in the Middle East region in late February and early March 2026 (link)
- Airways Magazine – summary of the impact of airspace closures in the Gulf on operations at major hubs and passenger notices (link)