Turkish Airlines has returned to the sandy shores of Seychelles, landing in paradise on the morning of Friday, April 23, 2021.

Restarting its COVID-safe international passenger services, Turkish Airlines A330-300 aircraft from Istanbul carrying 171 passengers was greeted by a traditional water salute upon arrival at the Indian Ocean destination.

Contributing to the revival of the local tourism industry, the airline connects Seychelles with the Central and Eastern Europe regions, which has become paramount to the destination as many of its traditional markets remain under lockdown.

Present at the airport for the arrival of the Turkish Airlines flight, the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis, expressed her excitement to see the carrier’s colours back in Seychelles.

“With our focus now on the eastern and central Europe block, Turkish airline’s return will help us grow this region further as it will connect us with more points in that region. Every airline that resumes their operations to our shores is an important milestone for us as each of them comes with their own strength,”said Mrs Francis.

The airline will bring travellers to the islands twice weekly, Tuesdays and Fridays, with an expected schedule change from July 12, 2021, flying on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Seychelles started its road to recovery on March 25 with the reopening of the border to the world at the exception of travellers for South Africa and Brazil for the time being.