Maldivian eyes European destinations as expansion takes flight

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen expressed hope for the day when Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, will begin flights to European destinations.

Speaking at a special ceremony held today at Velana International Airport (VIA), the minister highlighted the airline’s recent strides in expanding its operations.

Maldivian introduced its first wide-body aircraft to its fleet in January, with another set to arrive in the last quarter. Minister Ameen emphasised that reaching European destinations is a key milestone, given Europe’s significance as a primary source of tourists to the Maldives.

“Maldives is a renowned tourist destination in Europe, and the majority of tourists visiting our country come from there,” he said.

The launch of Maldivian’s wide-body aircraft operations marks a significant step for the airline. Despite the high costs associated with acquiring such aircraft, Ameen believes the move will yield substantial benefits for the nation’s tourism sector.

“With the commercial operations that have started today, I believe our national airline will move forward,” he added.

The Airbus A330 has commenced flights to China, and the upcoming wide-body aircraft, expected in October, will enable direct flights to Europe. This expansion is anticipated to enhance the Maldives’ connectivity with key markets and further support its tourism economy.

Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal praised the airline’s launch of direct flights to China, noting the positive impact on the industry. “This is a huge step forward,” he said. He added that President Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to promoting the tourism sector has been instrumental in achieving such milestones.

“The flight from China is 75% full, which is a very good achievement. The flight from Beijing is almost full,” he said.

Faisal projected that Maldivian would carry 40,000 tourists from the Chinese market alone, further solidifying China as a key tourism source for the Maldives.

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed also celebrated the launch of direct flights to China, describing it as an honour and a leap forward for the Maldives’ tourism industry. He emphasised that the operations would open new avenues for foreign exchange earnings, which are vital for the country’s tourism-driven economy.

“Maldives has a tourism economy. It is very important to continue such operations without stopping,” Saeed said. He added that sustained connections to key markets, such as China and Europe, would be crucial for the country’s long-term economic success.

China has historically been a major source of tourists for the Maldives. In 2023, over 263,000 tourists from China visited the island nation. With the recent introduction of direct flights, this year has already seen 15,891 Chinese tourists, and the numbers are expected to grow.