The Seychelles is eagerly awaiting the return of more visitors from its top-2021 source market – Russia – following an announcement from Russian national carrier Aeroflot that plans are under way to reintroduce direct flights from Moscow to the island nation.

Aeroflot initially resumed operations to the Seychelles in April 2021 after a 17-year hiatus, but all its international flights were halted on March 9, 2022 as a consequence of the war with Ukraine. In 2021, Russia was the top tourism source market, contributing 32 000 of Seychelles' total of 182 849 visitors. 

The Russian Embassy in the Seychelles has said discussions are being finalised for the direct air link.

"There is an air service agreement in force between Seychelles and Russia and the restart of the Aeroflot flight will be in strict accordance with this agreement. The same has been confirmed by Seychelles side. This will allow more Russian tourists to come to Seychelles," said the embassy.

Bernadette Willemin, the Seychelles Tourism Board Director General for Destination Marketing, said although dates could not yet be confirmed, October had been earmarked for the resumption of flights.

“We have been informed by our partners that a potential flight for October is available in the booking system. We know that our destination is in high demand in Russia. In 2021, we had seen that as the availability of flights became more regular, we started seeing the different segments picking up. With the resumption of a direct flight between Moscow and Seychelles, we are expecting to see a notable boost in our visitor arrival numbers from Russia and its neighbouring regions," said Willemin.

"Visitors currently travelling to our destination are doing so through hubs and they are often discouraged by the challenges such as language and flight connectivity, among others."

According to the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics, Russia has recorded the third most visitor arrivals to the archipelago for the year to date – 16 769 – with the majority arriving via connecting flights on Emirates and Qatar Airways.   

The Russian Association of Tour Operators has said direct flights are expected to operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays.

"According to tour operators, the resumption of Aeroflot flights to Seychelles will definitely increase demand for the destination, especially with the current shortage of foreign destinations for direct transportation. The PAC Group expects at least a 20 percent increase in tourist flow,” the association said in a recent news article.