IndiGo set to break Maldivian’s monopoly with Male’-Trivandrum flights

Indian budget airline IndiGo is set to break the Maldivian national airline Maldivian’s monopoly over the Male’-Trivandrum route by introducing its own flights along the route.

According to Indian media reports, IndiGo will be launching daily flights between the Maldivian capital Male’ and the south Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum on October 26.

The capital of the state of Kerela, Trivandrum is a popular travel destination among Maldivians, especially for medical purposes.

The only airline that operates between Maldives and Trivandrum is Maldivian, which operates flights to the Indian city from both the Velana International Airport in the Maldivian capital and the Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the north.

Maldivian currently enjoys a monopoly over the popular route, charging over MVR 5,000 for two-way airfare.

IndiGo, the largest airline in India by passengers carried and fleet size, and the second largest Asian airline, usually charges a low fare for its flights. However, the airline has yet to announce its fares for the Male’-Trivandrum route.

IndiGo currently operates flights between Male’ and three Indian cities; Bangalore, Cochin, and Mumbai.

On Wednesday, the airline switched to the new international passenger terminal that opened at the VIA in July.