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Qatar Airways will increase its flights to the Maldives by three a week from October 25 as more airlines prepare to expand services ahead of the peak tourist season.
Mariyam Adheela
Qatar Airways flight — Photo: Daily FT
Male’: Qatar Airways has announced plans to increase its flights to the Maldives to 21 a week from October 25, adding three flights to its current schedule.
The airline currently operates 12 flights a week to the Maldives.
According to a statement from Qatar Airways, the additional flights are part of its plan to expand services ahead of the upcoming winter season.
The airline will increase flights to London and Phuket as part of the wider expansion.
Qatar Airways said its plan will expand its network to 170 destinations worldwide.
Speaking to journalists at the President’s Office, Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen said seven more international airlines are preparing to start or restart flights to the Maldives ahead of the peak winter season.
The seven airlines are:
Ameen said tourist arrivals in March, April and May were 24 percent lower compared with the same period last year.
However, he said the decline has now narrowed to 2.6 percent compared with last year.
Ameen also said tourist arrivals are expected to improve significantly as the new tourist season begins.
The increase in flights and the expected return of several international airlines are expected to provide more travel options for tourists visiting the Maldives.
