President tours Velana International Airport ahead of border reopening

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih toured the Velana International Airport on Tuesday, to observe preparations at the airport ahead of the reopening of Maldives’ borders for international travel.

Maldives had suspended the issuance of on-arrival visa and closed its borders to international travel in face of the coronavirus pandemic on March 27.

The country is scheduled to come out of more than three months of isolation and reopen its borders on Wednesday, allowing tourism – the country’s main economic driver - to recommence.

President Solih visited the Velana International Airport – the country’s main gate – on Tuesday evening, during which he observed the preparations in place to welcome international travellers.

President @ibusolih visits @VelanaAirport and observes preparations underway to welcome tourists upon reopening of Maldives tourism pic.twitter.com/zFRbibYiNV

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) July 14, 2020

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which operates the Velana International Airport, has announced the first flight to Maldives on Wednesday will be operated by Qatar Airways. The flight is already overbooked with passengers, and will land at the airport at 08:25 am.

MACL has stated that 12 international airlines have expressed interest in resuming operations to Maldives.

According to the schedule released by MACL, Emirates will resume operations to Maldives with five weekly flights between Dubai and Male’ on its Boing 777 starting Thursday.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways is scheduled to resume operations to Maldives with two weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Male’ on its A320 starting Saturday.

Additional airlines Gulf Air, British Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, IndiGo, Silk Air, Singapore Airlines, and SriLankan Airlines are scheduled to resume operations in August.

Meanwhile, Edelweiss Air is set to begin operations in September, and Turkish Air in October.