Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has celebrated the 20th anniversary of Qatar Airways flights to the Maldives.
A Qatar Airways flight was welcomed with traditional Boduberu and a water salute at a special event held to mark the 20th anniversary of its operations to the Maldives. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom and acting head of MACL Ibrahim Thaaha.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tourism Minister Mausoom said Qatar Airways is an airline that connects the Maldives with the world, noting the airline was the first to operate flights to the Maldives when the borders were reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic last year. He also expressed hope that Qatar Airways will assist in the promotion and development of Maldivian tourism in the future.
Moreover, speaking at the ceremony, Thaaha noted that Qatar Airways has shown courage during the COVID-19 pandemic and the airline has made a significant contribution to the Maldivian tourism industry so far.
Qatar Airways commenced operations in the Maldives in 2001 and has been operating uninterrupted flights to the country since then. The airline operated 21 flights per week to the Maldives when the country reopened its borders in July last year. Qatar Airways now operates 28 flights per week, with over 1,000 people flying to the Maldives every day. Over 36,000 people arrive in the Maldives via Qatar Airways per month, according to MACL.