The Indian Carrier IndiGo, headquartered in Gurugram, India, is set to resume flights from Mumbai to the Maldives from 15 October 2020 onwards.
The flights are scheduled to operate twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays, which will increase in flights depending on future demand. They are to depart from Mumbai and arrive at the Maldives at 10.20 IST to 13.10 IST, respectively. The return flights from the Maldives to Mumbai are to depart at 14.20 IST and arrive at 18.10 IST.
In August, an air travel bubble was established between India and the Maldives, the first in South Asia. The flights are arranged in a safe travel corridor provided by local authorities so tourists can travel in these routes and areas with ease. IndiGo also operates weekly flights between Kochi, India, and Male, Maldives, under another air bubble set from 3rd September onwards.
Although tourists arriving in the Maldives are not subjected to mandatory 14-day quarantine, a negative PCR test, along with a completed Traveler Health Declaration Form, must be submitted online via IMUGA (www.imuga.immigration.gov.mv) before arrival. The negative PCR test remains valid for 96 hours, stated by the ministry of tourism in the Maldives. Tests exceeding this time period are invalid and must be retaken. Keep in mind, visitors that show signs of symptoms of COVID-19, along with individuals traveling with them, will be tested at their expense.
The establishment of the air bubbles is to contribute to the numerous marketing campaigns taking place currently, where the Maldives is being advertised in the Indian market as an attractive tourist destination. Launched by MMPRC, the Maldives Marketing, and Public Relations Corporation, the campaign focuses on encouraging visitors to travel to the Maldives, after the tourism sector was largely affected by the pandemic, the biggest contributor to the economy.
