Sri Lankan Airlines has stated 245 tonnes of cargo have been brought to the Maldives on the airline’s cargo flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The general sales agent of Sri Lankan Airlines in the Maldives, Ace Aviation Private Limited, stated the airline is operating 2 chartered cargo flights to the Maldives every week, with 11 flights operated to the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The sales agent revealed 245 tonnes of cargo have been brought to the Maldives on these cargo flights, mostly consisting of fruits, vegetables, and medical supplies.
Sri Lankan Airlines’ cargo flights arrived in the Maldives with goods from South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China. Ace Aviation stated the flights are facilitating export as well, with 4.2 tonnes of tuna exported on the last cargo flight. The company noted this was the first export recorded from the Maldives since international travels were suspended due to the pandemic.
Before the pandemic, Sri Lankan Airlines had been operating 3 daily passenger flights to Velana International Airport (VIA), as well as 3 weekly passenger flights to Gan International Airport.