Male’, Maldives, 01 August 2024 – Xiamen Airlines has officially launched scheduled flights between Xiamen, China, and Velana International Airport, further solidifying its presence in the Maldivian market. This follows the airline’s successful introduction of charter services in February 2024.
The inaugural scheduled flight, operated by a Boeing 787-8, touched down at Velana International Airport at 6:05 PM local time. Starting August 3, 2024, Xiamen Airlines will offer three weekly flights using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, each with 169 seats. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
This expansion is a significant step for Xiamen Airlines as it aims to strengthen its foothold in the Maldives and provide more travel options for passengers. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Xiamen Airlines’ scheduled flights at Velana International Airport. This new service, following their charter flights, supports our broader efforts to improve global connectivity and aligns with the government’s target of welcoming 2 million tourists this year.”
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), echoed this sentiment, noting, “The scheduled flights from Xiamen Airlines to Maldives mark a pivotal moment in the growth and development of the Maldives as a global tourism destination. Earlier this year, Visit Maldives celebrated the arrival of the first direct flight from Fujian province, China, by Xiamen Airlines, flight MF801. We anticipate these new flights to significantly increase tourist arrivals from China, contributing to the Maldivian economy and creating new opportunities for the tourism industry.”
With the addition of Xiamen Airlines, the Maldives now has flight services from several Chinese airlines, including Beijing Capital Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Chongqing Airlines. The introduction of these scheduled flights is expected to further enhance connectivity between China and the Maldives, supporting the growth of tourism and economic ties between the two countries.
