The Minister for Transport, Mr Antony Derjacques, welcomes the news of the recent approval issued by the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) for the commencement of flights by Discover Airlines, scheduled to begin in October 2025. This milestone is hailed as another success in the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to secure new operators on the Seychelles route over recent years.
With the addition of Discover Airlines, Seychelles will have a total of 12 carriers conducting international flights by the end of October 2025. This translates to an augmented capacity of 774,440 seats on the route for 2025, representing a 17% increase over 2024.
It is projected that 2025 will be a record-breaking year with a total of 478,771 international passenger arrivals, surpassing the 2019 figure of 463,046. An undeniable feat for a small island state after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Derjacques remarked that the launch of Discover Airlines on the Seychelles–Frankfurt route is a major milestone for our national air connectivity.
“Germany remains one of our most important tourism markets, and welcoming a Lufthansa Group airline directly strengthens our ties to this key region. This direct connection is crucial, as we cannot rely solely on Middle Eastern carriers—recent disruptions such as no-fly zones have shown the need for diversified routes. I congratulate my Ministry’s team and the staff of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority for their dedication in achieving this successful outcome. I am confident this new service will deliver positive benefits for the economy and for our country as a whole,” said the Minister.
Since late 2020, the Ministry has recognised the critical role of air transport in supporting the recovery of the economy, which was badly affected by the pandemic. Efforts were intensified to secure the future of the national carrier through new ownership and management arrangements, a clear strategic framework, and strong engagements with key industry players to ensure the return and sustainability of airlines operating to Seychelles.
From 2020 to date, Seychelles has seen a steady rise in international passenger arrivals. In 2024, a total of 428,113 arriving international passengers were recorded from 11 airlines operating to Seychelles, marking a 1% increase over 2023.
The upward growth trajectory is largely attributed to the Ministry’s pragmatic approach to route development and air services negotiations, shifting towards a business-focused strategy that ensures conducive frameworks for commercial operations. Notable successes include the return of Aeroflot, the introduction of IndiGO, and the upcoming launch of Discover Airlines.
The Discover Airlines launch is part of broader regional and international connectivity efforts. With support from the Ministry, critical connections have been restored with Madagascar through Emirates, and Air Seychelles has launched direct flights to Abu Dhabi, tapping an important market for 2025. Looking ahead, Seychelles expects new airlines such as Air Arabia, Riyadh Air, Fly Dubai, and ongoing discussions with Air Asia, bringing projected passenger arrivals to an estimated 486,000 by 2030.
Preparations to welcome Discover Airlines are well underway, with the airline reporting strong sales for the Seychelles route. On behalf of the Government, Minister Derjacques reiterates Seychelles’ appreciation to the German Government for supporting this operation through a modern air services arrangement concluded in 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Ministry remains committed to supporting air connectivity initiatives that strengthen Seychelles’ tourism, trade, and economic growth, while ensuring sustainability and resilience in the aviation sector.
