With the opening of direct flights to China in 2025, Maldivian is set to make a substantial contribution to the Maldives’ tourism industry. Beginning in early 2025, the airline will offer flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, three important Chinese cities, using its new wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
The additional flights are anticipated to transport up to 60,000 passengers a year, as China is one of the Maldives’ biggest source markets for tourists, with 261,000 Chinese tourists visiting the islands this year alone.
“With these direct flights to China, we will be able to carry 60,000 passengers a year as planned. This will also bring financial benefits. And the expansion of our services to the world will also help the airline’s growth,” said Maldivian’s Deputy Managing Director, Ali Saleem.
By drawing more tourists from China, a significant market, the new routes would not only make the Maldives more accessible to leisure travelers but also contribute to the growth of the local economy. This growth is an essential part of Maldivian’s larger aim to create a worldwide network, which will eventually open the door for further international flights, including those to Europe.
Based in Malé, Maldives, Maldivian is the airline branch of Island Aviation Services. Serving solely domestic airports in the Maldives, the airline started out with three aircraft: two Dornier 228s and a Bombardier Dash 8 Q200. Currently, Maldivian uses Velana International Airport as their primary hub for flights to Bangladesh and India. Maldivian provides wheelbase and seaplane flights throughout the Maldives. The country’s carrier provides affordable air transfers to all Maldivian resorts and runs daily, frequent flights to 16 airports across the nation.
