Repatriation flights arranged by the national flag carrier, Maldivian, have become full in just four hours from the announcement of repatriation schedules.
Maldivian has arranged repatriation flights to Cochin, India and Colombo, Sri Lanka, for all Maldivians stranded in the two countries. In a tweet, Maldivian stated two flights have been arranged to Sri Lanka on April 5, while one flight has been planned for Cochin, India on April 6.
Maldivians who want to return from India and Sri Lanka were asked to request for seats by sending Maldivian the passport copies, names and contact details. All seats of the three flights have been booked and details of additional flights will be announced in the coming week, according to Maldivian. The repatriation flight to Colombo is 50 seats, while the flight to Cochin will have the capacity to carry 200 passengers.
Island Aviation Services Limited, which operates Maldivian, has been negotiating to arrange repatriation flights for stranded Maldivians overseas.