Air Tanzania Makes Historic First Landing in Seychelles – Connectivity Concerns Linger
Victoria, Seychelles – Air Tanzania marked a milestone yesterday with its inaugural landing at Seychelles International Airport at 6.45am, following a two-hour, 45-minute flight from Dar es Salaam. The new service operates three times weekly on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with return fares expected around €700.
While government officials celebrated the launch with traditional water-cannon salutes and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, the timing raises uncomfortable questions. Originally scheduled for April 1, the launch was postponed for “logistical reasons” – a delay that cost the tourism sector precious Easter holiday bookings.
Too Little, Too Late?
Ministers Veronique Laporte (Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation), Amanda Bernstein (Tourism and Culture), and Tanzania’s Makame Mbarawa (Transport) attended the ceremony, framing the route as a “vital bridge connecting markets, people, and opportunities between our nations.”
However, industry insiders note that Dar es Salaam hasn’t traditionally been a major tourism feeder market for Seychelles. The question remains: is this genuine market expansion, or simply political theater disguised as economic development?
Connectivity Challenges Persist
Principal Secretary David Bianchi emphasized that “Dar es Salaam continues to emerge as an important aviation hub, and this new link offers increased travel options and improved access to Seychelles.” Yet this announcement comes as Seychelles continues to struggle with adequate airlift from key European and Asian markets.
Minister Mbarawa described the service as cementing Air Tanzania’s “growing regional footprint,” but critics suggest Seychelles may be getting the short end of the stick – serving as a convenient route expansion for Tanzania’s national carrier rather than addressing the archipelago’s own connectivity priorities.
Political Optics Over Economic Strategy?
The presence of National Assembly members Trevor Louise (Bel Air) and Sandra Sultan (Anse Aux Pins), along with Victoria Mayor Josy Michaud-Payet, gave the announcement a carefully staged political appearance. The question is whether this route launch represents sound tourism strategy or simply another photo opportunity for government officials.
What remains to be seen is whether the service will deliver meaningful tourist arrivals and economic benefit to Seychelles, or whether it will quietly fade after failing to attract sufficient passenger demand – leaving taxpayers to wonder why resources weren’t focused on strengthening connections to proven source markets instead.
