Visitors to the Seychelles can now fly to the island from Europe with the return of Swiss airline, Edelweiss Air.

Departing once a week from Zurich, Edelweiss Air is the only European airline currently serving the destination and has transported 367 visitors to the Seychelles in the last two weeks.

In an effort to keep the destination close to its European market, Seychelles has made special provision to remain accessible for visitors from major source markets (including UK, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria).

Should COVID-19 infection rates in these markets deteriorate, visitors will still be allowed to travel to the islands but with some additional measures.

They include a negative PCR COVID-19 test no older than 48 hours and the requirement for guests to stay at an approved hotel for the first five days of their stay in the Seychelles.

“This quarter has started fairly well for the destination. Although with a bit of restriction, Seychelles will be able to receive visitors from its prime market [optimum/highest spending source market] as of October 1, and the weekly flight from Zurich is one great advantage for European visitors planning to visit our islands as well,” said Seychelles Tourism Board CEO, Sherin Francis. 

She added that two of Seychelles’ prime markets, Germany and the UK, had exempted Seychelles from their non-essential travel lists.

Since reopening to commercial flights in August, Seychelles has welcomed regular flights from three airlines – Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Ethiopian Airlines – and local authorities and tourism business owners are ensuring that the destination remains a safe place for visitors.