S7 Airlines launches Novosibirsk-Maldives flights
Russian carrier S7 Airlines has commenced scheduled flights between Novosibirsk and the Maldives, with its inaugural service arriving at Velana International Airport (VIA) on Friday, 30 October 2026.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) welcomed the airline’s first passengers with a special reception at the airport, marking the launch of the new route connecting Siberia with the Maldives.
The service operates twice weekly, on Mondays and Fridays, using Airbus A320 aircraft. Flights depart from Novosibirsk’s Tolmachevo International Airport, providing travellers from Siberia with an additional connection to the Maldives without requiring a change of aircraft in Moscow.
The inaugural flight, which carried a full passenger load, travelled approximately 5,600 kilometres and took around 10.5 hours, including a technical stop for refuelling in Termez, Uzbekistan.
The introduction of S7 Airlines’ services expands air connectivity between Russia and the Maldives ahead of the peak winter tourism season, when demand for travel to the destination traditionally increases.
Russia remains one of the Maldives’ largest tourism source markets, ranking second after China. According to tourism statistics, the Maldives welcomed approximately 229,200 Russian visitors during the first nine months of 2026, an increase of nearly 15 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
The new Novosibirsk connection complements existing services between Russia and the Maldives, including Aeroflot’s flights from Moscow, and provides additional access to the destination for travellers from Siberia and surrounding regions.
The launch also comes as Velana International Airport expands its international airline operations for the winter season. MACL recently introduced international check-in services at Terminal 2 for ten airlines, including S7 Airlines, to accommodate passenger traffic during the peak travel period.
