Maldives, India look to expand air connectivity with Delhi, Mumbai flights - Haveeru Online, Feb 27, 2016


Minister Zameer meets with Indian Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma on Thursday.

Government announced Saturday that negotiations have been carried out with airlines from India to begin direct flights between Male and Indian city of New Delhi and Mumbai.

Tourism minister Moosa Zameer, back from an official visit to India, told reporters at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport that discussions were held with Indian authorities to begin direct flights between Male and the Indian capital and the neighbouring country’s commercial hub. Negotiations also were held with India’s flagship carrier Air India and IndiGo to expedite the plan, he added.

“There are no challenges to operating flights to Delhi and Mumbai. Indian Airlines [Air India] has expressed interest in that sector,” Zameer said.

The minister, however, admitted that existing agreements between Maldives and India have to be amended in order to begin the operations.

Expanding the air connectivity between Maldives and Indian cities is a demand of Indian hotel giants Oberoi and Leela that are set to invest in Maldives, he added.

Maldivian, the flagship carrier of Maldives, operates flights to two cities in India; Trivandrum, which is popular among Maldivians who travel to India for medical treatment, and Chennai.

Indian airlines, including Air India and Spice Jet, operate flights to other Indian cities such as Bangalore and Kochi.


High Commission of India Male, Maldives