Emirates to increase flight frequency to Maldives

Emirates is set to increase frequency of flights operating to Maldives from Dubai.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), under which Velana International Airport (VIA) is managed, made the reveal via Twitter.

As such, MACL revealed that the largest airline based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be launching daily flights from the middle-eastern nation, throughout the week.

While the airline currently operates six flights a week between Maldives and Dubai, flight frequency will be boosted from October 7 onward.

Emirates will use B777ER for its daily flights, revealed MACL.

Emirates resumed flight operations to the island nation on July 16, a day after the country reopened borders for international travel after a little over three months since the government halted issuing on-arrival visas, on March 27.

Since then, international flight operations to the country has been increasing. As such, Flydubai, a state-owned budget airline of UAE, is set to resume flights to the Maldives on October 27, due to growing demand as well. UAE-based Etihad Airways also operated to the Maldives.

Maldives Immigration earlier revealed that UAE remains the top source market for tourism since Maldives reopened borders, some others that follow include Russia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Brazil, Ukraine and Egypt.

Regulations mandate visitors to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test to the immigration upon arrival. The industry came to a complete standstill once borders were closed down and the country saw a major reduction in tourist arrivals despite having aimed to break the tourist arrivals record of 2019.

Maldives was awarded the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of the government’s efforts in implementing enhance health and safety measures, in line with the WTTC global ‘Safe Travels’ protocol and creating a safe, gradual plan by rebuilding confidence among travelers and ensuring a coordinated approach in restarting the tourism industry, during September.