Azerbaijan Airlines has commenced direct flights to the Maldives for the first time in history. The airline will operate direct flights from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to Velana International Airport (VIA). The first flight from Azerbaijan to VIA was showered with a warm welcomed upon arrival with various cultural activities.
The airline stated that it will operate flights to the Maldives, weekly twice. It also revealed that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, will be utilised for these six-hour trips. As this is the first time direct flights will operate between the Maldives and Azerbaijan, it will play a pivotal role in increasing the number of tourists arriving to the Maldives from Azerbaijan.
Recently, Air Arabia, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also commenced scheduled flights to the Maldives. Air Arabia will operate flights between Sharjah International Airport and Velana International Airport (VIA), utilising A-320 aircrafts.
While statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism indicate that over 40 international airlines currently operate flight to the Maldives, the government aims to welcome at least two million tourists by year-end. The data showed that 1.6 million tourists visited the Maldives to this date, with the government anticipating to achieve its goal of welcoming two million tourists by December.