SEYCHELLES GOVERNMENT DECISION TO REIMPOSE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISTS IMPACTS ON AIRLINE
(Posted 03rd June 2021)
Following guidelines received from the Seychelles Ministry of Health and as per the Seychelles Travel Advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism on 01st of June 2021, the reintroduction of restrictions have been imposed on travelling between South Africa and the Seychelles.
As a result, Air Seychelles will be reducing flights scheduled from Johannesburg to the Seychelles for the month of June 2021 until further notice. All flights on Fridays that connect to the airlines’ Maldives service will still operate as scheduled and are still available for sale. South African passport holders are able to take these flights, regardless of vaccine status. Travellers holding tickets for travel to the Seychelles, can apply for unlimited date changes for free with no penalty fee for travel up to 31st of December, 2021.
The complimentary date change must be applied three days prior to departure. Air Seychelles will not charge reissuance fees at the time of rebooking however any applicable fare difference will/could apply.
Travellers who purchased tickets for travel to the Seychelles in June can also opt to upgrade their destination to the Maldives on flights departing Johannesburg on 18th and 25th of June for no additional fee.
To request for these options travellers must contact their travel agency, the Air Seychelles Sales Offices or contact the airlines Call Centre by phoning +248 4391000/callcenter.
This unfortunate development comes just a week after the airline announced their return to Johannesburg and the launch of connecting flights to the Maldives, showing the uncertainties the aviation and tourism industry is subject to, depending on COVID19 development in other countries.
Meanwhile has the Seychelles government issued the following new and additional health regulations and guidelines:
