Friday
22nd Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
A Manta Air plane. | Photo: Manta Air
Manta Airlines commences flights between Kudahuvadhoo Airport and Bangalore Airport in India, becoming the second new direct route to Maldives via international flights in the last week.
Manta Air, a private airline in Maldives, has launched its first international flights to Bangalore, India. The first flight from Bangalore arrived yesterday, landing at Kudahuvadhoo airport.
Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal and Manta Air shareholder, and Tourism Development Advisor to the President, Mohamed Khaleel, attended the welcoming ceremony.
Manta Air's flight became the first international flight to Dhaalu Atoll. The atoll is relatively rich in resorts and the introduction of international flights to the atoll will reduce the time spent by tourists to reach the resorts in that area of Maldives.
India was the largest tourist market in Maldives last year. However, so far this year, India is ranked fifth on the list. However, the number of Indian tourists is expected to increase in the coming months.
This is the second airline to begin a new route for international flights in the last week, with the first direct flight from Xiamen, China, via Xiamen Airlines arriving in Velana International Airport on Wednesday last week.
These developments signal a significant increase in tourist arrivals to Maldives in 2024, which indicates positive progress towards the government’s goal of surpassing 2 million tourist arrivals by the end of the year.