Air France commences Maldives operations

Air France has recommenced operations to the Maldives. The airline commenced operations yesterday. 

The airline which commenced operations to the Maldives initially in 2017, stopped operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.  

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) which manages the Velana International Airport, the main port of the Maldives, said that Air France will hold flights three days per week to the Maldives. 

Happy to see @airfrance back with us again ???????? Now flying thrice a week to the #SunnySideOfLife ☀️ ???? ???? ???????? ✈️ ???????? #VisitMaldives#ReDiscoverMaldives#HappyToSeeYouAgain#FranceIsInTheAir pic.twitter.com/CmFxI11YJz

— VelanaAirport (@VelanaAirport) December 19, 2020

The number of international airlines operating to the Maldives has now increased to 22.  Six more international airlines are expected to commence operations before the end of the year. 

The Maldives has so far welcomed 24,033 tourists from France in 2020, including 3,109 after the border reopening in July.  A number of airlines are commencing operations to meet the tourist peak season. The Maldives is now on average, receiving around 2,000 to 3,000 tourists per day and achieved its 2020 target of 500,000 tourist arrivals yesterday.