Eight special flights have been arranged to repatriate passengers stranded in Maldives following disruptions to air travel caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) said it has been working with relevant ministries and industry stakeholders to respond quickly to challenges affecting the global aviation system.
In a statement published on its website, VMC said the safety of tourists and the stability of the Maldives’ tourism sector remain top priorities as authorities manage the impact of widespread flight cancellations.
Measures taken so far
- Eight repatriation flights have been arranged to return stranded passengers to their home countries, including flights to Germany and France
- MACL and the Tourism Ministry have set up a help desk at Velana International Airport to provide assistance to affected travelers
- Discussions are ongoing with airlines to increase flight capacity and facilitate travel in the coming weeks
VMC also said it plans to launch joint marketing campaigns targeting markets less affected by transport disruptions to prevent a decline in tourist arrivals. These include India, China, Russia and other parts of Asia.
In addition, the corporation is developing a longer term crisis response strategy in consultation with tourism industry stakeholders.
The travel disruptions follow escalating hostilities in the Middle East. Iran launched attacks on US military bases across the region in response to joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran late last month.
Several airlines have since suspended flights due to the closure of airspace in parts of the Gulf region, leaving many travelers stranded at Velana International Airport.
