Italian private airline Blue Panorama Airlines (BV), which operates scheduled and charter flights to various global destinations, is to drop its Italy-Seychelles flights from "mid September" onwards, citing poor loads and passenger numbers, as the Italian economy continues to reel amid the ongoing Eurozone crisis. |
| Blue Panorama Boeing 767 in Mahè, Seychelles (Okke Behm) |
The seasonal charter flights presently operate from Milan-Malpensa and Rome-Fiumicino.
"The tourist board and private sector have to talk to the travel agents and the tour operators to accept the situation and start using for instance Etihad and then connect from Abu Dhabi with Air Seychelles to Mahe. The alternative is to use Qatar Airways or Emirates to come here"
![Italian Tourist Numbers in Seychelles [Click to Enlarge]](http://i.imgur.com/PqAaL.png "Italian Tourist Arrivals in Seychelles [Click to Enlarge]") |
| Italian Tourist Arrivals in Seychelles (NSB) |
After Air Seychelles dropped its European routes in January of this year, Blue Panorama moved to fill the void left. However, the departure of Blue Panorama itself would mean there are no longer any direct flights between the Seychelles and Italy - historically a strong source of tourists for the islands.
No official confirmation from Blue Panorama itself has been heard as of publishing.
[UPDATE 31 AUGUST 2012] Amadeus lists the last flight out of Milan Malpensa as leaving on 3 September 2012, with the last flight leaving the Seychelles on 5 September 2012.
[UPDATE 31 AUGUST 2012] Amadeus lists the last flight out of Milan Malpensa as leaving on 3 September 2012, with the last flight leaving the Seychelles on 5 September 2012.
