The national carrier, Maldivian, has announced the launch of special direct flights between Velana International Airport (VIA) in Malé and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. These special operations are scheduled for three days this month: 27, 29 and 30 April. The flights will be serviced by Maldivian's fleet, utilising both narrow-body Airbus A320 and wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft.
According to the airline, the decision to operate these special flights aims to facilitate smoother travel between the two nations. Malaysia currently hosts a substantial number of Maldivian residents, with the number of Maldivians travelling to the country for diverse purposes steadily increasing. Additionally, the airline noted that these flights would cater to the growing influx of Malaysian tourists visiting the Maldives. Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment indicate that over 19,000 Malaysian tourists visited the Maldives last year.
Maldivian noted that this is not the first instance of special and seasonal flights connecting the Maldives and Malaysia, highlighting an established demand for such services. The airline anticipates that these special operations will provide convenient travel options for those planning journeys to Malaysia.
The announcement comes amidst a period of expansion for the national carrier. Maldivian took delivery of a new wide-body aircraft on 6 January this year, enabling the airline to broaden its route network. Recent developments include the commencement of flights to three major cities in China: Chengdu, Beijing, and Shanghai, which have reportedly received positive feedback. Furthermore, Maldivian is preparing to launch flights to Thailand and Europe, utilising the capabilities of its wide-body aircraft.
Tickets for the special flights to Kuala Lumpur are now available for purchase, according to Maldivian's social media channels. Interested travellers can book their seats via the airline's official website or by contacting their 24-hour call centre at 1671.