The first of the series of Sichuan Airlines seasonal chartered flight connecting Chengdu, China, to the beautiful islands of Seychelles touched down at the Pointe Larue International Airport at 5:40 a.m. on Wednesday, 2nd July 2025, carrying 120 passengers and 16 crew members on board.
To mark the occasion, the inaugural flight was welcomed with a traditional cultural performance organised by Tourism Seychelles.
The new seasonal route is set to operate five chartered flights throughout July 2025—on the 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th. The service, announced by the Chinese Embassy in Seychelles earlier in June, is the result of months of negotiations and cooperation between the Government of Seychelles, the Chinese Embassy, and key stakeholders across the tourism and transport sectors.
In her recent press conference hosted at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Seychelles, Chinese Ambassador Ms Lin Nan spoke about the collaboration between the two countries. She noted that supporting the flight is part of the efforts to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, opening broader prospects for bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Speaking about the five seasonal flights, the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Mrs Sherin Francis, expressed appreciation for the longstanding efforts that have led to this outcome.
“This upcoming connection is a major step forward for Seychelles. These direct flights will unlock tremendous opportunities, not just for leisure travel, but also for business and cultural exchange,” said PS Francis. “China remains one of our priority emerging markets, and enhanced connectivity is key to tapping into its vast tourism potential.”
PS Francis highlighted that this development aligns with Seychelles’ strategy to diversify its tourism markets and strengthen resilience in the face of global uncertainties. “We cannot solely rely on our traditional markets. Expanding our reach to Asia, particularly China, is a crucial part of our growth plan,” she added.
In 2024, Seychelles welcomed nearly 4,000 visitors from China, a figure that is expected to rise significantly with this new air link. At its peak, Seychelles had received close to 16,000 Chinese visitors in a single year, indicating strong market potential.
The Tourism Department, in collaboration with its partners, has been actively promoting the destination in China through direct consumer advertising as well trade shows and roadshows in anticipation of these direct flights. Additional marketing and industry training will be ramped up in the coming weeks to ensure the industry is prepared to cater to Chinese travellers.
