Sichuan Airlines, one of China's leading carriers, has resumed direct flights to the Maldives on August 1.
The resumption of direct flights by Sichuan Airlines signifies the continued strong arrival momentum of Chinese tourists to the Maldives.
The airline's resumption flight carrying 186 passengers landed at Velana International Airport (VIA) at 06:05 p.m. on Tuesday evening, and it was welcomed with a special water salute.
Sichuan Airlines will operate three weekly flights between Chengdu and the Maldives, adding to the existing Chinese airlines operating to the Maldives. This includes Beijing Capital, which operates weekly charter flights, and China Eastern, which offers weekly scheduled flights every Saturday.
Sichuan Airlines' decision to resume flights to the Maldives after seven years, with its last flight being operated on March 23, 2016.
China is currently the third leading tourist market to the Maldives with over 91,000 arrivals as of July 30.