At least three major Chinese airlines have confirmed plans to resume their flights to the Maldives in 2023.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said that Hong Kong Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Beijing Capital will continue their operations.
Hong Kong Airlines has already booked slots from January 1 through the end of March 2023. The airline will reportedly make three weekly landings in the Maldives.
On the other hand, Beijing Capital will operate four charter flights between January 18 and February 22.
China maintained the top source market position in the Maldives before the Covid-19 global pandemic in 2020. During the pandemic year, China grounded its aviation operations completely, blocking outbound travel. This subsequently led to a complete drop in Chinese arrivals to the Maldives.
Moreover, the Maldives Ministry of Tourism reported an annual total of over 280,000 Chinese arrivals in 2019, which was 17% of that year’s total tourist arrivals.
While Chinese arrivals are expected to resume this year, the Maldives Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom earlier estimated a 10% increment in annual tourist arrivals once China reopens its global aviation.