VICTORIA, Seychelles — Seychelles will, as from July 2025, welcome direct seasonal flights from Chengdu, operated by Sichuan Airlines. The move follows the successful charter flight in November 2024, and is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between China and Seychelles under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
At a press conference held at the Chinese embassy yesterday, Chinese Ambassador Lin Nan, joined by principal secretary for tourism Sherin Francis, said Sichuan Airlines will operate five direct flights a week between Chengdu and Seychelles, starting on July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. The new service is expected to provide a major boost to arrivals from China’s vast interior, where outbound travel to the Indian Ocean has been growing rapidly in recent years.
The launch of the new direct route is the result of close cooperation between the Seychelles Tourism Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Civil Aviation Authority, and Sichuan Airlines, alongside the Chinese embassy in Victoria. Officials said the route is also expected to deepen people-to-people ties, support the growth of cultural and educational exchanges, and open new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries. Detailed flight schedules and booking information will be released in the coming days.
