Minister of Tourism Dr Abdulla Mausoom, on Friday, revealed that an additional six airlines were set to commence operations to Maldives by the end of November 2020.
According to the minister, the total number of airlines operating flights to Maldives would increase from 12 to 18 following the establishment of the new travel links.
As per the latest status report by the Ministry of Tourism, nine airlines have confirmed plans to start flight operations to Maldives in the upcoming months, increasing the number of airlines with Maldives as a listed destination to 21.
- China Southern Airlines
- Azure Air Russia
- Austrian Airlines
- Nordwind Airlines
- Gulf Air
- Fly Dubai
- Lufthansa
- Go Air
- Neos
- Emirates Airline
- IndiGo Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Aeroflot Airlines
- Air India
- British Airways
- Edelweiss Air
- Qatar Airways
- SpiceJet
- Sri Lankan Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Maldivian
The tourism ministry recently expanded the permission for for split-stays in Maldives to include resorts, liveaboards and guesthouses. The government initially only permitted split-stays between resorts.
Maldives reopened its borders to international passengers on July 15, after nearly four months since the state halted issuing on-arrival visas on March 27. Guesthouses were permitted to resume operations and kick start local tourism on October 15.
Despite the lifting of restrictions, Maldives has noted a significant reduction in tourist arrivals compared to pre-COVID figures. While a total of 382,760 tourists were recorded before borders were closed in March, the latest figures by Maldives Immigration show that only 27,217 tourists arrived in Maldives in the three months following the lifting of travel restrictions.
However, the Minister of Tourism earlier expressed hopes for the industry's recovery, estimating that 100,000 tourists would visit Maldives before the end of 2020. The tourism ministry expects a total of 500,000 arrivals for the year.
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