Efforts at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) are expected to increase airline services from Middle Eastern countries to the Maldives during this year's high season, Minister of State for Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr Abdulla Niyaz has said.
Speaking in a special interview with PSM News at ATM, State Minister Dr Niyaz highlighted the importance of air connectivity to the tourism industry. He said the conflict in the Middle East has significantly affected air travel since 1 March, resulting in fewer journeys to the Maldives from the Gulf.
The disruption has also led to the cancellation of a significant number of flights. State Minister Dr Niyaz identified Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia among the airlines affected.
"Air connectivity is extremely important. The conflict in the Middle East has significantly affected connectivity since 1 March. Many airlines operating from the Gulf, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia, have cancelled a significant number of flights," State Minister Dr Niyaz said.
The impact is also reflected in the number of daily flights to the Maldives. State Minister Dr Niyaz said around 20 flights a day arrived during January and February, compared with around 15 a day at present.
"During January and February, around 20 flights were arriving each day, but that has now fallen to around 15. We hope the work currently underway will result in additional flights as we approach the high season," he said.
With the high season approaching, the Government is working to increase the number of flights to the Maldives. State Minister Dr Niyaz said efforts are underway for seven additional airlines to begin operating services to the country during this year's high season.
"The Government is undertaking significant efforts, and seven additional airlines are expected to begin operating during this season. We believe we will be able to achieve last year's figures again this year," State Minister Dr Niyaz said.
The Maldives has set a target of attracting 2.5 million tourists this year and has so far welcomed 1.5 million.
As the country works to overcome the challenges it has faced, the Maldives is also undertaking extensive efforts to identify additional tourism markets and promote the destination to attract more visitors.