The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation stated today that discussions are ongoing to begin flights to the Maldives from additional airlines in Asian countries, as some airline operations have been canceled due to the unrest in the Middle East.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, it noted that Middle Eastern airlines perform vital travel linked to the Maldivian economy. It further stated that the ministry is closely monitoring the impacts caused by flight cancellations resulting from the unrest.
Due to the closure of airspace, a large number of flights, including arrivals and departures at Velana International Airport, have been canceled. These include flights from Emirates, flydubai, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, as well as Etihad and Qatar Airways, which travel to the Maldives from Middle Eastern countries.
The Ministry stated that it is working in collaboration with major airlines traveling to the Maldives and relevant international organizations regarding this matter. The statement also noted that discussions are being held to start flights to the Maldives from additional Asian airlines.
The primary purpose of this is to minimize the difficulties that may be faced by tourists visiting the Maldives, Maldivians traveling abroad, and residents of the Maldives.
"Even if there are changes to the schedules of some airlines traveling from the Middle East to the Maldives, the flights of other airlines are proceeding according to schedule. To minimize the impact caused by this, the Ministry is discussing with additional airlines from Southeast Asia, East Asia, and India regarding bringing them to the Maldives," the statement said.
The Ministry stated that the Maldives will always welcome tourists visiting from various parts of the world. The statement also gave the assurance that the highest standards of air travel safety and hospitality would be maintained.
In response to the attacks initiated by Israel and the United States against Iran yesterday, Iran has begun attacking numerous U.S. military bases located in the Middle East.
Consequently, as the airspace of many countries has been closed, flights from many airlines traveling to the Maldives have been canceled, leaving many tourists stranded at Velana International Airport.
In these attacks, the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also been killed.
