The national flag carrier, Maldivian, has started direct flights from Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll to Cochin, India.
Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL) Mohamed Rizvee, Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Civil Aviation Authority Hussain Jameel, Parliamentarian Abdul Ghafoor Moosa and other several senior officials participated in the function to start the flight operations.
Speaking at the function, Rizvee said the arrangement was made to ease transport for locals travelling to India for medical treatment and to provide better access to Maldives for the high influx of tourists, especially to Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
Parliamentarian Abdul Ghafoor Moosa said operating international flights to Hanimaadhoo International Airport has always been an aim of the administration. He also expected the services and facilities at the airport to improve with the new operations.
Maldivian currently operates 2 flights from Hanimaadhoo to Trivandrum, India. Maldivian expects to start operating to other destinations in India and Sri Lanka in the near future. Maldivian will operate 3 flights to Cochin from Hanimaadhoo.
Currently, Maldivian flies to Chennai and Trivandrum as part of the 9 international destinations it operate flights.
The return fair from Hanimaadhoo to Cochin costs USD 190.