Emirates adds Maldives and Seychelles flights to its network ahead of UAE spring break

The Dubai airline is adding flights to the Indian Ocean nations where unvaccinated travellers are welcome

The Seychelles will reopen to all travellers, irrespective of vaccination status, on March 25. Courtesy Constance Hotels & Resorts

Emirates is increasing the number of flights it operates to the Maldives and the Seychelles to coincide with the coming UAE spring break.

The Dubai airline will operate more flights to its Indian Ocean destinations ahead of the Easter holidays.

From March 28, Emirates will fly 28 times per week to Male. This is an additional four flights per week on the airline's current schedule. Increased services will run until April 18.

To Mahe, Emirates will operate seven weekly flights, an increase from five. With the island nation reopening to tourists, the airline plans to continue this increased service until October 30.

Flights on sale to the Maldives and Seychelles

Emirates has flights on sale to select destinations to coincide with the coming school holidays in the UAE.

Schools finish on Thursday, March 25 for either a one-week or two-week spring break.

Until Thursday, March 18, sale fares are available on Emirates flights from Dubai to five destinations, including the Maldives and Seychelles.

Economy fares to the Indian Ocean destinations start at Dh3,495 ($951), and business class fares run from Dh8,555 to Male and Dh9,955 to Mahe.

Other destinations in the sale are Amman, Istanbul and Moscow, with fares applicable for travel until Tuesday, June 15.

Is the Seychelles open for tourists?

Travellers planning to visit the Seychelles do not need to be vaccinated. Tourism authorities confirmed that visitors from across the globe, irrespective of their vaccination status, can fly into the Seychelles from Thursday, March 25. This is an update on previous reports that said only vaccinated travellers would be able to visit the Indian Ocean destination.

Visitors from South Africa are not permitted to enter the Seychelles until further notice.

All travellers must present a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure and adhere to public health measures in place on the islands. This includes wearing face masks, social distancing and regular sanitisation or hand washing.

There are no quarantine requirements or restrictions on movement once in the Seychelles, and there is no longer a minimum stay required at hotels.

Upon returning to the UAE from the Seychelles, travellers flying in to Abu Dhabi will have to self-isolate for 10 days as the country is not listed on the "green list" that allows people to skip quarantine.

There are no quarantine requirements for those flying into Dubai, although all travellers must show a negative PCR test before flying to the UAE.

In addition to Emirates' new flights, Air Seychelles has also launched direct weekly flights between Dubai and Mahe and Etihad's website lists flights from Abu Dhabi to the Indian Ocean nation available from Thursday, March 25.

Can I visit the Maldives without a Covid-19 vaccination? 

The Maldives has been open to tourists since July 2020.

Travellers do not need to be vaccinated to visit the Maldives, but must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result that has been conducted within 96 hours prior to departure. An online Immigration and Health self‑declaration form must also be filled out 24 hours before arriving in Male.

With its one resort per island set-up, the Maldives makes a socially-distanced stay relatively easy.

The island nation was previously on Abu Dhabi's "green list", but has since been removed, meaning travellers returning from the Maldives to the capital must quarantine. Those flying into Dubai do not face isolation, but travellers must show a negative PCR test before travelling back to the UAE.