11 new airlines scheduled to launch operations to Maldives

Tourism Ministry has announced that 11 additional international airlines will be launching operations to Maldives in November and December.

According to latest updates, released by Tourism Ministry on Thursday, there are 15 international airlines currently operating to Maldives, and an additional 11 international airlines will launch operations in November and December.

The 15 airlines currently operating to Maldives are: British Airways, Edelweiss, Lufthansa, Australian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, flydubai, Emirates, Etihad Airways, GoAir, IndiGo, Air India, SriLankan Airlines, Aeroflot and SpiceJet.

Meanwhile, Ukraine International Airlines, Nordwind, Azur Air Russia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Air France, Azur Air Ukraine, Korean Air, Neos, and Gulf Air will be launching operations in November and December.

Gulf Air has announced it will launch operations on November 12, while Air Seychelles will be operating between December 4 and January 9 for the winter season.

Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, has also announced it will launch operations to Maldives for the winter on December 5.

Maldives has recorded over 400,000 tourist arrivals this year, most of which recorded prior to the border closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has recorded 44,365 tourist arrivals since the Maldives reopened its borders on July 15 to until November 4.

The top source market for tourist arrivals during the period is Russia, while Emirates has carried the greatest number of tourists to Maldives.

Maldives is currently open to all tourists, provided they have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken maximum 96 hours before departure from their original destination.