Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has announced its integration into the TravelSky Global Distribution System (GDS) and its official entry into IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in China. The move, effective from 25 June 2025, aims to improve accessibility and ticketing convenience for Chinese travel agents and international partners.
With this development, IATA-accredited agents in China can now issue e-tickets on Maldivian’s Q2-986 ticket stock, enabling seamless sales through the TravelSky platform. The move represents a strategic effort by the airline to tap deeper into the Chinese travel market, currently one of the fastest-growing outbound tourism markets globally.
Maldivian operates three direct weekly flights from Velana International Airport to major cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. These routes are serviced by the airline’s A330-200 widebody aircraft, offering full-service amenities aimed at long-haul travellers. The availability of these flights on GDS platforms is expected to significantly improve booking efficiency for both individual and group travel.
The partnership is also expected to boost the Maldives’ tourism sector by streamlining travel from China to the island nation. With established interline partnerships with global carriers like Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, Maldivian’s new reach through TravelSky opens the door for greater integration with long-haul travel itineraries. Passengers can now benefit from easier one-ticket bookings that connect international flights with Maldivian’s domestic network, including links to luxury resorts and local guesthouses.
The airline currently operates a fleet of 26 aircraft, including one A320, one A330-200, eight Dash 8s, five ATRs, and eleven DHC-6 Twin Otters. These aircraft serve 17 domestic airports and a range of international destinations. As travel between China and the Maldives continues to recover post-pandemic, Maldivian’s expanded distribution capabilities position it well to meet renewed demand.
