Seychelles Gains Double Daily Ethiopian Airlines Flights in 2026
Seychelles is strengthening its position as one of the Indian Ocean’s best-connected island destinations as Ethiopian Airlines launches double daily flights from Addis Ababa beginning December 1, 2026. The expanded service adds more than 1,000 weekly seats while providing seamless global connections through the Star Alliance network.
For a tourism-dependent island nation, air connectivity is more than a transportation issue—it is an economic lifeline. In an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, shifting travel patterns, and international crises, the Republic of Seychelles has once again demonstrated why its aviation strategy is regarded as one of the smartest in the Indian Ocean.
For decades, the Seychelles government has recognized that maintaining and expanding global connectivity is essential to protecting the country’s tourism-dependent economy. Rather than relying on a limited number of gateway markets, Seychelles has consistently diversified its airline partnerships and adapted quickly to changing global circumstances.
Beginning December 1, 2026, that strategy receives another major boost as Ethiopian Airlines introduces double daily flights between Addis Ababa and Mahé, significantly enhancing access to the island nation.
The expanded schedule represents a major milestone for Seychelles, providing travelers with greater flexibility while strengthening the country’s connections to Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond.
The second daily service will arrive at Seychelles International Airport at 4:20 p.m. and depart for Addis Ababa at 5:50 p.m. Operated by a Boeing 737 featuring 16 Business Class and 138 Economy Class seats, the new service will add more than 1,000 seats each week.
Ethiopian Airlines already operates a successful daily nonstop service between Addis Ababa and Mahé, departing Addis Ababa Bole International Airport at 9:30 a.m. and arriving in Seychelles at 2:20 p.m. after a flight of approximately three hours and fifty minutes. The return service departs Seychelles at 5:15 p.m. Passengers enjoy Ethiopian Airlines’ renowned onboard service, including complimentary meals, entertainment, and participation in the ShebaMiles frequent flyer program.
Strategic Connectivity Beyond Africa
The importance of Ethiopian Airlines extends well beyond its African network.
As a member of the Star Alliance, the airline provides seamless one-stop connections to hundreds of destinations worldwide through alliance partners including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, United Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air India, South African Airways, and many others.
For visitors traveling from Europe, North America, Asia, India, Southern Africa, and the Middle East, Addis Ababa has become one of the most efficient transfer hubs for reaching Seychelles.
This expanded schedule will not only make travel more convenient but also strengthen Seychelles’ resilience by reducing dependence on any single market or airline—a lesson many island destinations have learned during recent global disruptions.
Tourism Board Welcomes Expansion
Welcoming the announcement, Vesna Rakic, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Tourism Board, described the additional flights as another important step in strengthening the destination’s international accessibility.
“Ethiopian Airlines has become an important partner in Seychelles’ efforts to diversify its source markets, and the introduction of more than 1,000 additional seats per week will provide a welcome boost to the destination.
Seychelles Travel – Official Tourism Website of the Seychelles
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The additional capacity, particularly during the festive season, will offer travellers greater flexibility and more options when planning their holidays. It aligns perfectly with our market diversification strategy and our objective of improving accessibility to Seychelles.”
A Long-Term Vision Paying Off
Few tourism destinations understand the strategic value of aviation as clearly as Seychelles.
Successive governments have invested decades in cultivating airline partnerships that keep the archipelago connected to the world, recognizing that every additional route creates opportunities for tourism, business, investment, and economic resilience.
Ethiopian Airlines’ expansion reinforces Seychelles’ position as one of the best-connected island destinations in the Indian Ocean. As international travel evolves amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty, the country’s proactive approach to aviation connectivity offers visitors more choice while safeguarding one of its most important industries—tourism.
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