Italian flag carrier, Alitalia has commenced scheduled direct flights to Velana International Airport.
The first scheduled direct flight of Alitalia AZ 776 landed at Velana International Airport on November 1. Alitalia initially conducted charter operations to Maldives in 1985 and continued for 5 years. After the cease, the airline made a few charter operations to Maldives during the winter season of 2014. Alitalia will operate scheduled direct flights to Velana International Airport from the Italian capital, Rome. The duration of the trip is 9 hours 30 minutes.
Alitalia will operate three flights per week on every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, according to Associate General Manager, Cooperate Communication of Maldives Airports Company Limited.
Alitalia will operate Airbus 330 to Maldives, which has a capacity of 250 passengers, on a three-class configuration Magnifica, premium economy and economy. Voyages Maldives is the General Sales Agent of Alitalia in Maldives. The Rome-Male service represents the first time Alitalia operates non-stop thrice-weekly flights to one of the most popular tourist destinations among Italian tour operators, according to Alitalia.
Tourist arrivals from Europe is expected to increase with the operations of the airline. Italy is one of the main tourist generating countries for the Maldivian tourism industry.