China’s Xiamen Airlines launches scheduled flights to Maldives

China’s Xiamen Airlines has officially launched direct flights to Velana International Airport (VIA).

The airlines' Boeing 787 successfully landed at VIA on Tuesday, marking the commencement of operations between Xiamen, Fujian Provision and Male’.

@XiamenAirlines has officially commenced scheduled flights to Maldives!

The inaugural flight Boeing 787 successfully landed, marking the beginning of their new operations, from XMN to MLE.

With three weekly flights now available, travelers from China can easily access the… pic.twitter.com/Q9MN1FfuCj

— Velana Airport (@VelanaAirport) July 30, 2024

The operator of VIA, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), via a post on X, said Xiamen Airlines will be conducting three flights per week between Xiamen and Male’, paving the way for easy access to the Maldives for Chinese tourists.

Xiamen Airlines, in a post on X, said the Xiamen-Male’ route is the airline’s first South Asian route and debut Fujian to the Maldives.

✈ Today, Xiamen Airlines' Boeing 787 launched our Xiamen-Male route to Velana International Airport! ????✨ That became our first South Asian route and Fujian's debut to the Maldives. pic.twitter.com/VacjIF9yUc

— Xiamen Airlines (@XiamenAirlines) July 30, 2024

China has reclaimed its position as the leading tourist market to the Maldives following the resumption of flights in January last year after the halt prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More airlines are scheduled to commence operations to the Maldives within the course of this year. In this regard, Malaysia’s national carrier, Malaysia Airlines is set to resume direct flights to the Maldives on Thursday and Middle East and North Africa’s largest low-cost carrier, Air Arabia, is scheduled to commence direct flights between Maldives and UAE’s Sharjah on October 27th.