Russia is to resume air services to Maldives.

The country’s Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin has signed a directive to resume international air service to Maldives, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates “on a mutual basis,” according to reports emerging from the country on Thursday.

As such, flights from Russia are to land at Velana International Airport twice a week.

Following the announcement, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid thanked his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and the government, and said that this “is reflective of the close cooperation” between the two nations.

He noted that this decision would “contribute greatly in reviving [Maldives’] economy.”

Both Maldives and Russia are among the countries that halted regulator air services following the Covid-19 pandemic in March. Maldives, a country heavily dependent on tourism, reopened borders on July 15.

While the tourist arrivals has not been as high as predicted following border reopening, newly appointed Tourism Minister, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom said that the number is expected to reach 120,000 by December.

Maldives welcomed a record breaking 1.7 million tourist arrivals in 2019, and a two million target was made for 2020. However, following the pandemic, this was reducted to 850,000 and now to about 120,000 visitors.

Less than 10,000 tourists have arrived thus far, since borders reopened..