In a boost to the tourism sector, Chongqing Airlines has commenced direct flights to the Maldives, with its inaugural flight landing yesterday. The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) announced that the airline will operate three flights a week, specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The first flight of Chongqing Airlines arrived in the Maldives with 82 passengers, marking a significant addition to the air connectivity between the two nations. This development makes Chongqing Airlines the fourth Chinese airline to establish scheduled flights to the Maldives, joining Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines, which already offer direct trips between the two countries. Additionally, Xiamen Airlines had chartered flights between China and the Maldives last February.
Last year also saw China Southern Airlines chartering several trips between the two countries. Moreover, Hong Kong Airlines, also located in the region, has been conducting direct flights to the Maldives alongside these Chinese airlines.
The establishment of direct flights by another Chinese airline illustrates China’s status as the leading source of tourists to the Maldives. To date, over 114,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Maldives, accounting for 11.6% per cent of the total tourist arrivals in the country. This surge in Chinese visitors has contributed to a 10 per cent increase in overall tourist arrivals this year compared to 2023, with a total of 980,000 tourist arrivals recorded so far in 2024.
The enhanced connectivity provided by Chongqing Airlines is expected to further bolster the tourism industry in the Maldives, facilitating greater ease of travel for Chinese tourists. This move is anticipated to sustain and potentially increase the influx of visitors from China, supporting the Maldives’ tourism-driven economy.
As the Maldives continues to witness a steady rise in tourist arrivals, the addition of more direct flights from major international carriers, particularly from China, highlights the country’s growing appeal as a premier travel destination. The collaboration with Chinese airlines reflects a strategic effort to tap into the burgeoning Chinese travel market, ensuring the Maldives remains a top choice for holidaymakers from China and around the globe.
