The Maldives has exported a record tonnage of cargo on a single flight for the year.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said a total of 33.4 tonnes of fish products, consisting of 32.2 tonnes of chilled fish products and 1 tonne of raw fish products were exported to Europe and 1.2 tonnes of chilled groupers were exported to the far east via a Turkish Airline cargo flight.
Amid the interruptions in carrying cargo between countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkish Airlines commenced cargo trips to the Maldives in April. The airline operates a weekly cargo flight to the Maldives from Istanbul, Turkey, via a transit in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Maldivian general sales agent of the airline, Expedite Maldives, remarked the commencement of cargo flight operations from Turkey would assist local businesses to bring in different types of goods. In this regard, the company said the import of fruits, vegetables and medical items from Europe, the US and the Middle East will be made easier by the introduction of cargo flights from Turkish Airlines. Expedite Maldives revealed the flights will be operated on a Boeing 300-777 aircraft, which has the capacity to carry 42 tonnes of cargo.
Turkish Airlines operates cargo flights to over 50 countries around the world. The passenger flights of Turkish Airlines to the Maldives were suspended on March 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.