Iberia to begin flight operations to Maldives in time for summer

The national airline of Spain, Iberia has announced intention to begin flight operations to Maldives= in time for summer.

The Spanish airline is scheduled to fly to the island destination from July to August.

International media reports that Iberia will schedule two weekly flights from Madrid to Maldives, for the two-month period once authorized.

This has pushed the total number of summer destinations the Spanish airline is scheduled to launch flight operation to, to 112.

The airline is currently awaiting authorization from the Maldivian government to begin operations.

Executive Chairman of the Spanish airline, Javier Sánchez-Prieto revealed that their decision to add Maldives to its summer destination routes mirrors their efforts to boost tourism and raise the company morale. He added that it is also an “example of how Iberia is adapting to the new circumstances and opening new markets.”

Maldives was awarded the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) during September 2020, 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 our tourism industry

Endorsed by the World Tourism Organization and more than 200 travel companies, the ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ aims to provide and ensure travelers of enhanced standards of hygiene are in place and the assurance that they can once again experience safe travels.

Since borders were reopened during July 2020, 30 international airlines have resumed flights to the island nation. Some of these airlines have since been increasing flight frequencies to the country due to popular demand among travelers.

Since the beginning of the country’s tourism-revival journey, Emirates has held the title of top airline bringing tourists into the Maldives, having flown over 68,800 tourists to the popular island destination so far this year. Some of the other airlines topping the list are Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Aeroflot, Go Air, Turkish Airlines, Flydubai, Lufthansa, Azur Air Russia, Austrian Airlines as well as Etihad Airways among others.

Maldives welcomed 347,421 tourists by Thursday. The country celebrated over 100,000 tourist arrivals in the Maldives during March, for the first time since border reopening.

The government aims to welcome 1.5 million tourist arrivals in 2021 and has kicked off promotional activities for the Golden Year of tourism, to be celebrated in 2022.