Chief Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Mohamed Hussain Shareef has said the number of flights operating to the Maldives this summer is expected to increase, with efforts to boost tourism and improve air connectivity.
The Middle East war has disrupted global air routes, leading to widespread suspension of several flights that operate to the Maldives. However, several of these airlines are gradually resuming and increasing operations. The government’s efforts to bring tourists to the Maldives through alternate routes have also contributed to an increased number of tourists visiting the Maldives despite the conflict.
According to the spokesperson, the government is working to restore tourism levels to pre-conflict levels. Speaking at the latest session of the Presser with the Spox series, he said the Maldives’ tourism sector has performed better than initially expected due to stable visitor arrivals from other markets. He noted that arrivals from India remain strong, while Chinese arrivals have increased significantly in time for summer.
Flight disruptions have reduced from about 99 percent at the start of the conflict to around 70 percent currently, according to government figures. The government said launching the national airline routes to new destinations will also help support tourism recovery. The Maldives has also been offering jet fuel at reduced prices to airlines to encourage more carriers and increase flight frequency.