What airport is in Seychelles?

There is one international airport – Seychelles International Airport, with the IATA code SEZ. It is on Mahe Island, about 20 minutes away from the country’s capital, Victoria. The other airports, that exist in Seychelles are internal.
The Seychelles International Airport receives all kinds of aircrafts. There is only one runway: it is 2.987 meters long. The airstrip is situated by the ocean side. It looks marvelous, but it is not so safe when a strong side wind blows. Pilots must know how to land an airplane in such conditions.

The airport has three terminals: international, domestic and cargo. It is the smallest international airport that could possibly exist. That is good because an airport terminal is only a few steps from the plane.

There is only one queue from a plane to a passport control and baggage claim and so it usually goes pretty fast.

It is the most homely, comfortable and comprehensible airport in the world. There are only important departments there: a document’s check desk, a duty-free store, a luggage tape, customs clearance, and an exit. The tour companies and taxi drivers greet the holiday makers on the way out.

After leaving the airport building one will get to DMC offices and desks, mobile provider kiosks, small banks offices, ATMs, check-in counters, airline branches, luggage wrapping, cafes, bars, stores, etc. There are also car rental companies’ desks. A few steps away there is an internal terminal and Payanke CIP Lounge. All of that is situated outside of the building.

A departure lounge is placed on the inside of the international terminal. You can use the interior facilities after entering the departure hall. Those are: passport check and security formalities, a variety of duty-free shops and souvenir stalls, fast-food restaurant, café, VAT refund kiosk, Vallée De Mai Premium Lounge, children’s play area.

The Seychelles International Airport is the home of Air Seychelles national airline. This airline has international and domestic destinations.

Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal connects the other islands with the international airport. From here one can fly to Praslin, Denis, Desroches, Bird, Aride, Alphonse. Flights to Praslin are public and depart every 30 minutes from 5 to 22 hours every day. Other flights are private and operated by resorts or certain companies. To get there, it is important to buy a stay at the resort or a tour (where possible) or a permission from the authorities, for example, for research activities.

The best news for everyone who is planning to visit the Seychelles: Seychelles International Airport and the Domestic terminal have been renovated and now have more services, lounges, cafes, etc. It surprised me how more convenient and better it is now.

The Seychelles International Airport and Air Seychelles offer various services such as fast track, porter service, comfortable lounges, luggage room, VAT refund.

Lounges & Services in the Seychelles Airport

The Seychelles airport offers three paid lounges.

1.Salon Vallée De Mai

This lounge is in the departure hall and it is only available for those who depart from the Seychelles. It belongs to Air Seychelles, so one can make a reservation on their website or through the DMC (Destination Management Company).

It includes a reception desk, a luggage room, a lounge with soft chairs and tables, a buffet area, a bar with an option of alcoholic (after 11 am) and non-alcoholic beverages, a free Wi-Fi, a business space provided with computers with internet connection, several plasma screens with news on, stalls with international magazines and newspapers, a shower.

Usually it is quiet and relaxing here. It is possible to stay here for 3 hours max. The service costs money, but there is a free option.
Free access for:

• Etihad Silver, Gold and Platinum Members.
• All business and first-class passengers of certain air companies. These are airlines that have an agreement with this lounge. The list is subject to change.
• Member of Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access.

It is a paid function for all other travelers.

2.Payanke CIP lounge by Avani

This new lounge was opened in December 2018. It has a stylish light design, comfortable large armchairs, several sitting areas, an extensive selection of dishes on the buffet. It is situated in the domestic terminal on the first floor. This hall does not have a direct access to the departure terminal. There is a charge need to be paid on the entrance and it is available for all passengers on departure and arrival.

It offers:

• 80 Lounge seats
• 25 Seats on the terrace
• 20 Dinning seats with tables
• Area to relax
• Children’s area
• Buffet
• Bar (open from 11am to 11pm)
• 4 Showers
• Free Wi-Fi
• TV
• Access to the Press Reader application (online newspapers in all
• languages)
• 2 Spa treatment rooms (surcharged)
• Fast track service (surcharged)
• Concierge and porter service (surcharged)
• Luggage storage (surcharged)

The lounge is opened from 6.30 am till 11 pm. Maximum stay is 3 hours.

3.Air Seychelles VIP Lounge

This lounge is next to the airstrip, right by the landing side. It takes 1-5 minutes to get there by walk on arrival and 3 minutes by car on departure.
It has several suites and all of them are for personal use only. Customers receive a top level of assistance from a personal hostess. There is no need to pass the arrival and departure formalities, all of that is formalized by the staff.

The service includes:

• Personal hostess
• Guests are met and greeted right by the plane
• Customs and immigration formalities
• Baggage check-in and screening
• Selection of snacks and drinks (alcoholic and soft beverages)
• Duty free shop help
• Free Wi-Fi
• Cable television
• Newspapers and magazines
• Shower

This lounge is not cheap, but celebrities and businessmen appreciate this service. It includes 3 hours on departure and 2 hours on arrival. Extra hours are charged separately. Booking is through Air Seychelles or DMC.

The Seychelles International Airport offers the following services:

1. Fast track on arrival, with or without a porter service. Air Seychelles staff provides it in English and French. They meet a client in arrival lounge with a customer name on a plate, assist with immigration and customs formalities through a separate fast track counter. A help with baggage is possible with a porter service.
2. VAT refund. This service is in the departure hall on the first floor. It is necessary to show things purchased in Seychelles and the receipts to get the compensation. It is available with: jewelry made of precious metals or stones, objects of art, sculptures, handmade products, cosmetics, electronics and other goods. There are certain requirements for these items. You should visit the airport site to find more details.
3. Standard available functions: duty-free shops, cafes, bars, fast food, luggage room, parking, etc.

Useful tips:

1. International flight check-in counters open 3 hours before departure. Check-in counters for domestic flights open 1 hour prior to takeoff. Amazingly, Victoria may have traffic jams and passengers may miss the flight. So, it is better to go to the airport in advance.

2.There are two bank branches where one can change some money for the first time. The exchange rate is normal, without any serious differences comparing with the exchange in the city. Unlike the other offices, they operate during the arrivals and departures of the flights.

3.A traveler can buy a SIM card at the airport and be in touch immediately. The booths of the local cellular companies are placed by the exit of the airport building. The working hours are usually during the day.

4.The taxi and public cars stand at the Northern Parking near the terminals.

5.There are the appointed areas for pickup and drop-off. Only the DMCs buses can park in front of an airport.

6.A fast track is helpful when a tourist has an individual transport (car/minivan), but everybody must wait for the luggage reclaim until it’s unloaded. If a traveler has booked a group transfer (DMC bus), that is irrelevant, because one needs to wait for everyone to go.

7.The Payanke lounge is convenient because it is outside the arrival and departure halls, therefore passengers for international and domestic flights can use it. If you should wait for a long time, it is better to stay in the lounge: A part of the airport is situated outside without any air conditioning.