Bahraini airline, Gulf Air has commenced operations to Maldives today, in addition to SriLankan Airlines which also commenced direct winter operations between Maldives, and United Kingdom.
Gulf Air first commenced operations to the Maldives in October 2019 but halted operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gulf Air has previously stated that demand for the operations to the Maldives was high and that it will be utilizing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft for the operations.
Maldives, the world’s leading travel destination, is a popular choice among travelers from the UK and SriLankan Airlines will be holding two flights per week between London, and Male’ City for winter operations.
The airline is among a number of international airlines that have commenced operations to Maldives since the nation reopened its borders in July following the pandemic lockdown.
SriLankan Airlines will hold direct flights between Male’ City and London up until April 2021. The airline has assisted in connecting the Maldives with big cities such as Frankfurt and Milan with direct flights.
The airline is also holding direct flights between Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Male’ City as well. In addition to this, the airline currently conducts cargo flights once every week between Dubai, UAE and Male’ City.
Currently, British Airways is also holding one flight per week between Male’ City and the UK.
Tourism statistics for the Maldives currently show that 8,200 tourists from the UK had traveled to the Maldives from July 15 to December 9. In total, 38,285 UK travelers have been recorded traveling to the Maldives in 2020.
Some other airlines currently operating to the Maldives include Etihad Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Spice Jet, Turkish Air, Air Seychelles, Fly Dubai, Rossiya, Aeroflot, Air India, Indigo, and Air Astana.
Due to high demand, some airlines are also ramping up operations to the Maldives. The Maldives yesterday welcomed the 100,000th tourist to the nation since it reopened its borders.
