Chongqing Airlines launched its inaugural flight to the Maldives on Monday.
The Chongqing-Male route will operate three times a week, and is expected to strengthen ties between China and the Maldives and open up new and exciting opportunities for tourism and cultural exchanges.
The inaugural flight was welcomed upon arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in the Maldives, with local officials and tourism stakeholders expressing enthusiasm for the new development.
“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection will strengthen our ties and open up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on Wednesday.
The Maldives currently hosts four Chinese airlines, including China Eastern Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.
In January, the Maldivian government urged tourism officials from both Maldives and China to intensify efforts to restore China’s position as a major source market for Maldivian tourism, which it maintained before the COVID-19 outbreak.
China, which was the largest source market for Maldives tourism prior to the pandemic, resumed tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives marked a significant recovery, welcoming 187,118 Chinese tourists. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most tourists from China, with over 107,940 by June 12, accounting for 11.5% of total arrivals.
