Swiss leisure airline, Edelweiss, has restarted scheduled flights to the Maldives.
The airline resumed direct flight operations between Switzerland and the Maldives after suspending the service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first flight upon the restart arrived at Velana International Airport (VIA) from Zurich, Switzerland on September 26.
Edelweiss said the airline will operate two flights to the Maldives every week. The airline said bookings can be made through its website, for flights scheduled until September 2021.
Switzerland is an important market for the Maldivian tourism industry. Swiss tourists represent a significant percentage of tourist arrivals in the Maldives, with over 33,000 tourists arriving from Switzerland last year.
Meanwhile, Edelweiss becomes the 9th airline to restart operations to the Maldives following the reopening of borders in July. Other airlines which have resumed operations to the Maldives include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air India, IndiGo and Aeroflot.