Air Italy has begun operating non-stop flights to Maldives as part of its winter schedule this year.
The first Air Italy flight of the second biggest Italian Airline arrived in Maldives on Wednesday from Milan Malpensa Airport.
A special function was held at Velana International Airport (VIA) to resume its operations to Maldives after being halted in April 2017. Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Moosa Solih, Italian Honorary Counsel to Maldives Giorgia Marazzi and senior officials from Maldives Immigration and Maldives Customs participated the function to resume operations.
Speaking at the function, Moosa Solih said he expected an increase of tourists from Italy as the number of airlines operating to Maldives from Italy will increase to three, with the addition of Air Italy.
Honorary Counsel Giorgia said the flight operations is anticipated to bring about positive developments to Maldives, further strengthening the relations between Maldives and Italy.
Air Italy has scheduled three non-stop flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from its hub in Italy, Milan Malpensa Airport to VIA. Airbus A330 airplanes will be used in their operations to Maldives, according to Air Italy.
Italy has also added flights to additional destinations towards widening its winter operations. Currently the national airline of Italy, Alitalia, and a charter airline. NIOS. also operates non-stop flights between Italy and Maldives, in addition to Air Italy.
Italy has been one of the longest contributors for the development of tourism sector in Maldives with a significant number of tourist arrivals to Maldives from Italy.
Over 97,000 tourists have arrived to Maldives from Italy in the first nine months of the year.