Air Seychelles Begins Rome Flights, Offering Easier Access to the Seychelles

The national carrier of Seychelles has resumed European operations for the first time in over a decade, giving British holidaymakers a new way to reach one of the world's most sought-after island destinations.

For years, travelling from the UK to the Seychelles has meant routing through one of the major Gulf hubs — Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi. That option has become considerably more complicated in recent months, with ongoing conflict across parts of the Middle East forcing several Gulf carriers to suspend or curtail their services. Now, Air Seychelles is stepping in with a direct European connection that could make the journey significantly more straightforward.

The Seychelles national carrier launched a new twice-weekly service between Mahé's Seychelles International Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport on 28 March 2026, operating every Wednesday and Saturday. Whilst the route is not a direct departure from British shores, it marks a pivotal shift in how European travellers — including those connecting via Rome — can access the archipelago without relying on Gulf transit points altogether.​​​​​​​

What makes this launch particularly notable is that Air Seychelles has not operated regular flights to Rome since the early 2000s, representing an absence of well over a decade from the European market. The resumption of service signals a meaningful shift in the airline's strategic ambitions and comes on the back of a strong year — Air Seychelles was recognised as the Indian Ocean's Leading Airline at the 2025 World Travel Awards.

The Rome route also accompanies a second new European service. Air Seychelles launched flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle from 20 March 2026, operating three times weekly aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner through a partnership with Etihad Airways. Between Rome and Paris, the airline now has a genuine European footprint for the first time in years.​​​​​​​

For UK holidaymakers with the Seychelles on their wish list, this development is genuinely good news. The twice-weekly Rome schedule suits those planning longer stays — typically a week or more — which aligns well with how most British travellers approach a long-haul island holiday. The Seychelles remains one of the most popular honeymoon and luxury travel destinations among UK tourists, and any expansion of routing options is likely to bring increased availability and more competitive fares over time.

Travellers can book the Air Seychelles Rome service directly through the airline or via authorised travel agents. Those wishing to build a fuller itinerary combining European stopovers with their Seychelles holiday will find that Rome's excellent onward connections make it a natural gateway.​​​​​​​

With Gulf routes under pressure and the Seychelles as desirable as ever, Air Seychelles' return to Europe could not have come at a better moment.