China-based Xiamen Airlines has launched scheduled flights between Xiamen, China, and Velana International Airport (VIA). The airline’s expansion follows the successful charter services introduced earlier this year between Xiamen and Malé.
On Tuesday, the inaugural scheduled flight, operated by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, touched down at VIA. Starting on 3 August, Xiamen Airlines will offer three weekly flights on the Xiamen-Malé route, utilising its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, each equipped with 169 seats, Maldives Airports Company Ltd. (MACL) said in a statement.
The move is expected to elevate Xiamen Airlines’ presence in the Maldives, providing travellers more options and convenience. According to MACL, this expansion aligns with the government’s goal of welcoming two million tourists this year.
“We are delighted to welcome Xiamen Airlines’ scheduled flights at Velana International Airport,” said Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO and Managing Director of MACL. “This new service, following their successful charter flights, supports our broader efforts to improve global connectivity.”
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), noted the significance of these flights for the Maldives’ tourism industry.
“The scheduled flights from Xiamen Airlines mark a pivotal moment in the growth and development of the Maldives as a global tourism destination,” he stated. “We anticipate these new flights to significantly increase tourist arrivals from China, contributing to the Maldivian economy and creating new opportunities.”
Xiamen Airlines now joins other carriers, including Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Chongqing Airlines, operating flights to the Maldives.