Air Seychelles to fly repatriation flights from India, Sri Lanka on May 23

May 22, 2020:  On May 23, Air Seychelles will be undertaking a special flight from India and Sri Lanka to repatriate 95 Seychellois nationals stranded in those two countries during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the support of the Seychelles embassies in India and Sri Lanka and in close consultation with Air Seychelles, health authorities as well as the two respective resident high commissions, the Seychellois nationals will finally be able to return home. The repatriation of this group of nationals has been identified as priority, as it consists of many Seychellois patients who had been undergoing treatment in India and Sri Lanka, with government financial assistance.

This fully government funded flight will carry 81 Seychellois nationals from Chennai, India (including 42 patients and attendants) and 14 patients and attendants from Sri Lanka.

In providing an update on the situation, the director of consular affairs, Terry Rose commented that “it is noteworthy that countries have their local laws and regulations that have to be adhered to and the department of foreign affairs with the assistance of our overseas missions, where applicable, continues to negotiate with all countries and parties concerned in an effort to undertake the repatriation.”

Other stranded nationals are likely to be repatriated from June, when travel restrictions will be gradually lifted and entry into Seychelles will be allowed from selected countries.