8 October 2026

Seychelles Explores Italy Air Link and Wider US Aviation Cooperation

Seychelles is exploring new aviation links and cooperation through separate engagements with Italian airline Neos and the United States, including the potential development of direct air services between Italy and Seychelles and broader cooperation in civil aviation, connectivity, security and capacity building.

Seven people stand in a row in a meeting room in front of tall windows with greenery behind them, with the Seychelles flag on a pole at centre and a ministry banner partly visible at right, and a polished wooden table in the foreground. — Seychelles Minister for Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation Veronique Laporte met United States Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Christopher Green at a courtesy meeting covering civil aviation, maritime and port security, and capacity building. [Ministry of Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation, Republic of Seychelles]

Edited by:

African Pilot Newsdesk

Why this article matters
Direct services between Italy and Seychelles would add a new connectivity option for the island market if the proposed cooperation between Neos and Air Seychelles progresses beyond the feasibility stage.

The separate engagement with the United States points to a broader aviation relationship focused on connectivity, civil aviation cooperation and capacity building, while the Neos discussions remain specifically centred on assessing the viability of a direct Italy–Seychelles service.

Seychelles has held separate discussions with Italian airline Neos and representatives of the United States as the country explores opportunities to strengthen air connectivity and wider cooperation in civil aviation.

The Principal Secretary for Ports and Civil Aviation, David Bianchi, held a virtual meeting with Neos Chief Commercial Officer Aldo Sarnataro and Head of Business Development Marco Maggioni to discuss the possibility of establishing direct air services between Italy and Seychelles.

Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority Chief Executive Officer Garry Albert and other government and aviation officials also participated in the discussions.

Neos identified Seychelles as a market of interest and indicated that it was interested in developing a project with Air Seychelles. The proposed cooperation would explore how the resources and capabilities of the two airlines could be combined to assess the feasibility of direct flights between Italy and Seychelles.

Discussions also considered potential cooperation between the airlines to support the establishment and long-term sustainability of a service.

Giulia Orlandi, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Italy, attended the meeting on behalf of Italian Ambassador to Seychelles Vincenzo Del Monaco. The Embassy expressed support for the proposed partnership and indicated that it was prepared to facilitate discussions as the initiative develops.

In a separate engagement, Seychelles Minister for Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation Veronique Laporte met United States Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Christopher Green to discuss further cooperation between Seychelles and the United States.

The discussions built on previous engagements between the Ministry and the US Embassy and covered civil aviation, maritime and port security and capacity building.

Laporte highlighted opportunities to strengthen air connectivity while continuing cooperation with the United States in maritime and port security.

Principal Secretary for Ports and Civil Aviation David Bianchi, Principal Secretary for Land Transport Sheryl Vengadasamy and other Seychelles government representatives also attended the meeting.