Travel from China to Seychelles is set to receive a major leg up with the launch of the first direct flights from mainland China to the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Seychelles will connect to Chengdu in China through the first direct and non-stop charter flight, with the launch of charter to be operated by Sichuan Airlines.

In a press statement, Tourism Seychelles, the marketing branch of the tourism department, says that the flights will commence in the second half of this year.

Tourism Seychelles says the flight, which will take around 8 hours and 50 minutes, will mark the beginning of a new chapter in air connectivity between the two destinations. Additional flights are currently under active discussion and consideration.

“We are delighted to welcome the charter flight between Seychelles and China. This initial charter flight represents a significant step in diversifying Seychelles’ tourism markets and opening our islands to the growing Chinese travel market. We are optimistic about the potential for expanding this route in the near future,’’ says Sherin Francis, principal secretary of the Department of Tourism.

The new charter flight will offer travellers from China a convenient and exciting opportunity to experience the tropical paradise of Seychelles.

Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan province in China, is a major economic and transportation hub, making it an ideal departure point for Chinese visitors eager to explore Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

According to the figures released on June 26 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 1,268 visitors from China came to Seychelles for the first half of 2024.