Ukraine’s Azur Air has officially begun its charter operations to the Maldives.
The airline’s maiden charter flight landed in the Maldives at Velana International Airport on 26th December 2020. The flights will be operated every Saturday, until March 2021.
Formerly known as Katekavia, Azur Air is a charter airline and former regional airline in Russia. The airline is based at Boryspil International Airport where it operates with a fleet of 7 Boeing Aircraft operating to 12 global destinations.
Russia has remained ranked as the eighth biggest source market for Maldives tourism as of tourist arrival stats since the border reopening in July. According to Visit Maldives, expanding air connectivity between the two countries will be a major boost to the Maldives’ efforts to revive the country’s tourism-dependent economy.
Meanwhile, the country’s flag carrier Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) has also commenced charter operations to the Maldives, with its maiden flight arriving in the Maldives last Saturday. With this, there are currently over 20 airlines operating in the Maldives.
In addition to Azur Air, Russian flag carrier Aeroflot pilots eight flights per week on the Moscow-Male route. Nordwind Airlines also offers travelers twice a week service to the Maldives, while Rossiya Airlines flies once a week between Moscow and Male.
Since the Maldives reopened its borders on 15th July, all nationalities have been granted a 30-day free on-arrival visa with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the country. Tourists are also required to fill an online health declaration form 24 hours before departure, as well as, present a negative COVID-19 test, conducted 96 hours prior departure to the Maldives.
