Seychelles to Double Ethiopian Airlines Flights on Supercharging Global Tourism

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The country is set for enhanced air connectivity, with Ethiopian Airlines set to step up its services from one daily service to two daily flights operating between Addis Ababa and the Seychelles from 1st December 2026. This will enhance air connectivity through Ethiopian Airlines’ Addis Ababa hub, connecting the Indian Ocean destination to networks covering all of Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. For the Seychelles Tourism Board, this step comes at a time when the nation is stepping up its airline connections and enhancing connectivity from various source markets.

Ethiopian Airlines Prepares Twice-Daily Seychelles Services

Ethiopian Airlines’ latest network update lists two Addis Ababa-Seychelles services every day from 1 December 2026. The increase applies from Monday through Sunday, effectively doubling the carrier’s daily frequency on the route.

The airline’s current booking information also promotes connections between Mumbai and Mahé through Addis Ababa, with the journey taking approximately 10 to 13 hours depending on the itinerary. Ethiopian Airlines currently lists up to 11 weekly Mumbai-Mahé connections through its network.

That transit option is relevant to India’s growing outbound tourism market, particularly as Seychelles continues promoting the destination to Indian travellers through trade activity and airline partnerships.

Addis Ababa Becomes a Bigger Tourism Gateway

The importance of the route extends well beyond Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Airlines uses Addis Ababa Bole International Airport as its principal hub, allowing passengers from multiple international markets to connect with Seychelles without requiring separate itineraries through several distant gateways.

Tourism Seychelles has previously identified Ethiopian Airlines as an important connectivity partner because its network provides links between Seychelles and destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

The additional frequency therefore creates more scheduling options for travellers while increasing the number of available connection combinations through Addis Ababa.

For an island destination that relies heavily on aviation, additional seats and more frequent services can directly affect how easily visitors reach the archipelago.

India Gains Another Route Option

Indian travellers are an increasingly important audience for Seychelles tourism, and Ethiopian Airlines already markets connections from several Indian cities.

Its Mumbai-Mahé booking page currently promotes travel through Addis Ababa, while the airline’s India website lists Delhi-Mahé among its available routes.

The additional Seychelles frequency from December could therefore provide more flexibility for travellers using Addis Ababa as a transit point.

Seychelles also has direct Mumbai-Mahé connectivity through IndiGo, which launched its non-stop service in March 2025. The combination of direct and one-stop options gives Indian visitors multiple ways to reach Mahé.

Europe and the Americas Stay Connected

The Ethiopian Airlines expansion also matters for travellers outside Africa and India.

Addis Ababa provides connections across Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive international network, allowing passengers from European and American cities to travel towards Seychelles through a single principal transit hub.

Tourism Seychelles has described Ethiopian Airlines’ daily services as an important part of maintaining access to global markets, particularly while the destination works with multiple international carriers to preserve visitor flows.

Other airlines also contribute to Seychelles’ international connectivity. Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Aeroflot resumed or expanded services during the 2026 summer season, adding capacity from the Middle East, Europe and Russia.

The Ethiopian Airlines expansion consequently forms part of a wider network rather than operating as an isolated aviation development.

What Travellers Can Explore in Seychelles

Once passengers arrive at Seychelles International Airport on Mahé, the destination offers access to beaches, nature reserves, hiking trails, marine activities and cultural attractions.

Mahé is home to Victoria, the capital, along with Morne Seychellois National Park, beaches and Creole cultural sites. Travellers can continue to Praslin by domestic flight or ferry, where the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve is a major attraction.

La Digue offers cycling routes, granite landscapes and Anse Source d’Argent, while surrounding islands provide opportunities for diving, snorkelling, wildlife encounters and nature excursions.

The local currency is the Seychellois rupee, and international payment cards are widely accepted across tourism establishments.

Key Stats

• 2: Daily Addis Ababa-Seychelles flights planned from 1 December 2026
• 7: Days per week covered by the new twice-daily schedule
• 1: Main international airport serving Seychelles on Mahé
• 11: Weekly Mumbai-Mahé connections currently listed by Ethiopian Airlines
• 10–13 hours: Approximate Mumbai-Mahé journey time via Addis Ababa
• 2013: Ethiopian Airlines began services to Seychelles, according to Tourism Seychelles.

Timeline and Events

2013: Ethiopian Airlines began operating flights to Seychelles.

22 March 2025: IndiGo launched direct Mumbai-Mahé services.

June 2026: Tourism Seychelles confirmed that Ethiopian Airlines was operating daily services through Addis Ababa.

1 December 2026: Ethiopian Airlines is scheduled to introduce two daily Addis Ababa-Seychelles services.

FAQ

1. How often will Ethiopian Airlines fly to Seychelles?
From 1 December 2026, Ethiopian Airlines is scheduled to operate two flights daily between Addis Ababa and Seychelles.

2. Can Indian travellers use Ethiopian Airlines to reach Seychelles?
Yes. Ethiopian Airlines currently markets Mumbai-Mahé and Delhi-Mahé travel through its Addis Ababa network.

3. Why is the Addis Ababa route important for Seychelles tourism?
It connects Seychelles with Ethiopian Airlines’ wider network across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

Dates

2013: Ethiopian Airlines begins Seychelles services.
22 March 2025: IndiGo launches direct Mumbai-Mahé flights.
June 2026: Ethiopian Airlines operates daily Seychelles services.
1 December 2026: Twice-daily Addis Ababa-Seychelles services scheduled to begin.

Conclusion

There is going to be a substantial increase in air capacity to the Seychelles in the future after Ethiopian Airlines launches two daily flights from Addis Ababa starting from December 2026. This development will help increase connectivity via one of the most important aviation hubs of Africa, while helping with connectivity from India, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. With the addition of Ethiopian Airlines to the list of airlines operating out of Seychelles, the country is continuing with its strategy of developing an aviation network to cater to international tourists.