The High Commission of India in the Maldives has announced 5 flights will be operated weekly between India and the Maldives under the air travel bubble established between the two countries.
The Indian high commission stated IndiGo Airlines will operate two scheduled flights between Cochin and Male’ every week, while the national airline, Maldivian, will begin operating two scheduled flights between Male’ and Trivandrum every week. Along with the Air India flight operated between Delhi-Trivandrum-Male’, the total number of scheduled flights operated between India and the Maldives under the air travel bubble will rise to 5.
The air travel bubble was established as part of the agreement signed between the two countries on August 13. The air travel bubble facilitates the movement of people between the two countries amid the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India has established air travel bubbles with 9 countries, with the Maldives becoming the first country from South Asia to establish a travel bubble with India.
A large number of tourist arrivals in the Maldives are from India, with over 167,000 tourist arrivals recorded from India last year. This was a two-fold increase in Indian tourist arrivals compared to the previous year. The Indian high commission stated the flights operated under the air bubble will help to increase the number of tourist arrivals in the Maldives and help revive the Maldivian economy, which has been hit hard due to COVID-19.
On the other hand, India is the most popular destination among Maldivians travelling abroad for medical purposes. The Indian high commission stated the air travel bubble will be crucial for Maldivians who need to seek advanced medical treatment from India.