Kuwait Airways commences operations to Maldives

Kuwait’s flag carrier, Kuwait Airways, has commenced operations to the Maldives

The airline’s first commercial flight to the Maldives touched down at Velana International Airport on Monday, which was welcomed with a water salute. 

A ceremony was held to welcome the airline to the Maldives that was attended by senior officials from Kuwait Airways, Tourism Ministry and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) including Tourism Minister Abdulla Mausoom, Regional Manager of Kuwait Airways Bashar Karem and MACL's Deputy Managing Director Ibrahim Thoha. 

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Mausoom said that as the airline connects European routes, the start of Kuwait Airways operations will increase arrivals from Europe to the Maldives. Noting that flights from the Middle East are gaining momentum as World Cup impends - he said direct operations by Kuwait Airways will offer another path to the Maldives for Middle Eastern tourists. 

Kuwait Airways will operate direct flights from Kuwait to Velana International Airport twice a week. They will be using Airbus A320s for the operations. 

Kuwait has become a popular tourist market for the island nation post-pandemic. As per statistics from Tourism Ministry, so far this year, 6,309 tourist arrivals have been recorded from Kuwait. The Middle Eastern nation ranks 39th in the top tourist markets to the Maldives this year.