Coronavirus Air Travel

Emirates announces Special Offers for Maldives Route

18 April, 2021

Emirates is offering travelers from the UAE the chance to book their long-awaited Eid or summer getaway to the Maldives, with fares starting from AED 3,495 in Economy Class, and AED 8,555 in Business Class. The offer is valid for bookings made starting today until 25 April 2021 for travel until 31 July 2021.

Travelers can also plan their ideal Maldivian getaway with Emirates Holidays, starting from AED 4,389 per person for a three night stay package at a four star hotel.

Emirates currently offers 28 convenient weekly flights to the Maldives.

The Maldives has become an incredibly popular destination among for UAE travelers for a long weekend break or extended holiday with convenient, short flight timings, idyllic weather, crystal blue waters and pristine beaches. Its private island resorts offer unique experiences catering to almost every type of traveler, from world-class water sports and diving, relaxing spa experiences, and much more, helping visitors create unforgettable memories.

Iberia airlines launches new route to the Maldives

17 Apr, 2021

Spain’s Iberia airlines has announced a summer programme, whereby they will be operating new route to the Maldives, with two direct flights per week from Madrid in July and August.

Iberia’s Executive Chairman Javier Sánchez-Prieto said, “This summer we’re making a large bet on recovery. As a country, we can’t afford to lose two whole seasons, so we must make every effort to save the coming one. Vaccination campaigns are leading to the lifting of restrictions on travel, and it is vital to come up with formulas that are valid for Europe, the Americas, and eventually for every country in the world.”

Sánchez-Prieto noted, “The announcement of the new Maldives route is expected to raise company morale and is viewed both as good news for the travel business and as an example of how Iberia is adapting to the new circumstances, and opening new markets.”

Iberia is currently awaiting authorization from relevant authorities to fly twice a week to the Maldives.

Meanwhile travel to #Maldives has become easier where no negative PCR test is now required for tourists who #VisitMaldives two weeks (14 days) after administration of their 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 

Maldives reopened borders to all nationalities from 15th July 2020. All visitors are granted a 30-day free on-arrival visa with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the country.

Maldives has also extended ‘Split Stay’ for all types of tourist accommodation facilities, allowing tourists to split their stay between resort, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboard boats, with prior approval as per split-stay procedure and guideline by the Ministry of Tourism.

While there is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival, tourists traveling to Maldives are required to complete an online health declaration form which has to be submitted online via IMUGA (www.imuga.immigration.gov.mv), by all arriving passengers before arrival (but not exceeding 24 hours before arrival time).

Singapore Airlines is back to the Maldives!

30 March, 2021

Singapore Airlines returns to the sunny side side of life with its first scheduled flight that arrived in Maldives on 30th March 2021.

The airline operated a Boeing 737 aircraft to Velana International Airport on Tuesday morning. The airline has been operating flights to Maldives via Silk Air from 1st December 2020.

Singapore Airline‘s 737-800s features a total of 162 seats, including 12 business class seats and 150 economy seats. The airline will be operating three weekly flights to the Maldives.

More SilkAir routes will be progressively transferred as nine 737-800 NG join the SIA fleet. This would also allow SIA to operate the aircraft to points within its current network, starting with Brunei in March 2021. The full integration of SilkAir into Singapore Airlines is scheduled for completion in the 2021/22 financial year.

The SIA 737-800 NG will have 12 Business Class and 150 Economy Class seats. Customers can look forward to a step up to SIA’s award-winning suite of in-flight offerings on regional routes. This includes the world-class service offered by Singapore Airlines cabin crew, enhanced food and beverage options, and the KrisWorld in-flight entertainment via a web-based platform.

“The introduction of the SIA 737-800 NG will bring about a more comfortable and seamless travel experience for customers on our regional routes,” said Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines. “Integrating SilkAir with SIA also allows us to be nimble and flexible in aircraft deployment, and supports our fleet and network growth strategy.”

Both Singapore Airlines and Silk Air operated to Maldives. Singapore Airlines operated their wide-body jet aircraft; the A330’s and B787’s while Silk Air operated using the Boeing 737’s. The airline is said to operate both the aircraft types to Maldives in the future, depending on passenger demand.

Austrian Airlines to increase frequency to the Maldives

28 March, 2021

Austrian airline has announced that as part of its “vacation offensive in the cold season,” it will increase the frequency of flights to the Maldives. The airline currently operates two flights a week to Male, Maldives. Austrian will increase this to three times a week as the weather in Europe gets colder.

In a statement announcing the new routes and schedule changes, Michael Trestl, COO of Austrian, said, “People are longing for vacations, long-distance travel, and the sea. That’s why we will be focusing on attractive long-haul destinations in the coming winter flight schedule to satisfy our passengers’ desire to travel. I am confident that by then, many people worldwide will have been vaccinated that travel will once again be possible without severe restrictions.”

Turkish Airlines awarded APEX Diamond Status by APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying

28 March, 2021

Turkish Airlines has been awarded the Diamond status by APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying for its efforts in ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitization.

The airline implemented all the measures and innovations developed for its passengers to travel in a healthy and safe manner starting from the beginning of the pandemic period. It gained Diamond status in 10 categories and 75 contact points, including contactless check-in processes, social distance application, extra cleaning measures, hygiene experts, hygiene kits offered and more.

With passenger health and safety set as priority, Turkish Airlines wishes to see its customers on new travels flying to their target destinations, be it for business, vacation or other needs.

The APEX Health Safety audit powered by SimpliFlying creates a global standard for health safety focused upon the airline customer. As airlines worldwide work individually towards best practices, APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying gains efficiencies of advancing scientifically proven passenger protections. Every day, airlines and their suppliers gain new insights on best practices for customer protection.

Etihad Airways launches sale to Maldives

28 March, 2021

Etihad Airways is encouraging residents to enjoy quarantine free travel on arrival into Maldives with the launch of its latest sale.

Fly from Abu Dhabi to Maldives from AED 1,995 return, valid until March 31. Travellers can jet off any time until June 30.

Flydubai to Commence Limited-time Double Daily Service to Malé

28 March, 2021

Flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has revised its flight frequency plans and will be adding a second daily flight for a limited-time from Dubai to Malé starting from April 1, 2021. The airline resumed operations to Maldives on October 27, 2020, after a two-and-half year break with four weekly flights which eventually became daily from December 2020 onwards.

flydubai Flight FZ 1569 currently departs from Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB) at 09:55 and the return flight FZ 1570 departs from Maldives' Velana International Airport (MLE) at 23:55 (local time). According to the updated summer schedule for the period from April 01 – 13, 2021, flydubai Flight FZ 1207 will be departing from Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB) at 02:00 and the return flight FZ 1208 will depart from Maldives' Velana International Airport (MLE) at 09:45 (local time).

Mohamed Firaq, Managing Director of Inner Maldives Holidays, the General Sales Agent for flydubai in the Maldives, said: “flydubai offers affordable fares, convenient and reliable travel services between Malé and Dubai connecting to other popular destinations from Maldives such as Istanbul, Alexandria, Kathmandhu and Dhaka. Passengers also have the opportunity to choose how they would like to travel whether it is in the comfort of Business Class or a customized experience in Economy Class. Customers will be able to purchase tickets from our office and appointed flydubai passenger sales agents.”

Maldivian Air to operate Direct Flights from Mumbai to N. Maafaru

14 March, 2021

National airline, Maldivian has announced that they will be operating direct flights from Mumbai, India to Noonu Maafaru from 13th April 2021.

Speaking at a press conference held today, Maldivian’s Managing Director Mohamed Mihad said that the airline has made the necessary arrangements to welcome the first direct flight from Mumbai to Maafaru. “Our team has met with the resorts and guesthouses in the area and even met with Indian tour operators to make the arrangements,” he added.

Mihad highlighted that Maafaru International Airport is surrounded by roughly about 10,000 tourist beds from 4 neighboring atolls: Noonu atoll, Raa atoll, Baa atoll and Lhaviyani atoll. He said that the airlines expect the resorts and guesthouses in the area to make use of this opportunity.

Mihad reiterated that this is a great opportunity for guesthouses in the neighboring atolls as the islands in these atolls can be reached in just under one hour via speedboat from Maafaru International Airport.

Opened in 2019, the Maafaru International Airport, was a groundbreaking investment for the development of the Noonu atoll and an economically beneficial project for the ongoing businesses as well as the luxury resort islands. As per Island Aviation, the airport has seen a steady increase in the number of jet landings since the border reopening. In spite of the temporary halt in the industry in 2020, Maafaru International Airport has wrapped up the year with 253 jet landings. The airport is managed by Island Aviation – which operates Maldivian.

According to Mihad, the runway is expected to be expanded to accommodate wide-body aircrafts by the end of the year. “Because of the current length of the Maafaru International Airport runway, we are only able to accommodate short haul flights for now,” he said. “We need to expand the runway in order to accommodate wide-body aircrafts. I have been informed that work to expand the runway will begin in July this year, and it is expected to be completed by the end of the year. We plan on accomodating flights to Eastern European countries using wide-body aircrafts as soon as the work is done,” he said.

GoAir launches daily Direct Flights from 4 Indian cities to Maldives

14 March, 2021

GoAir has lifted the frequency of its services to Maldives. The airline has launched daily flights with direct routes from the 4 prominent cities in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad from 11th March 2021.

GoAir was previously operating flights from Mumbai and Delhi 3 times weekly, from Bangalore 2 times weekly and from Hyderabad 4 times weekly. GoAir operates the direct flights to Male’ on a state-of-the-art Airbus A320 aircrafts.

Tickets for the flights can be booked through Voyages Maldives, by phone or in person. Voyages Maldives is the appointed GSA for GoAir in the Maldives located on Chandhanee Magu, contact details are 301 8877 and [email protected]

India was the top source market for tourism in the Maldives in the year 2020 and remains as the top source market even in 2021. According to statistics publicized by the Tourism Ministry, Indian tourists made up 11.3% of total tourist arrivals to the Maldives in 2020.

Maldives reopened borders to all nationalities from 15th July 2020. All visitors are granted a 30-day free on-arrival visa with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the country.

Maldives has also extended ‘Split Stay’ for all types of tourist accommodation facilities, allowing tourists to split their stay between resort, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboard boats, with prior approval as per split-stay procedure and guideline by the Ministry of Tourism.

While there is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival, tourists traveling to Maldives are required to complete an online health declaration form and provide a negative PCR test result taken at least 96 hours prior to their departure.

The negative PCR test result must be attached while completing Traveler Health Declaration form, which has to be submitted online via IMUGA (www.imuga.immigration.gov.mv), by all arriving passengers before arrival (but not exceeding 24 hours before arrival time).

Qatar Airways is the First Airline in the Middle East to Trial the IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app

14 March, 2021

Qatar Airways has become the first airline in the Middle East to begin trials of the innovative new IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app, in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Qatar Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation and Hamad Medical Corporation, starting 11 March 2021.

Passengers on the award-winning airline’s Doha to Istanbul route will become the first group to experience the ‘Digital Passport’ app which aims to play an important role in the airline’s vision to have a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers.

IATA Travel Pass ensures passengers receive up-to-date information on COVID-19 health regulations at their destination country, as well as complying with strict global data privacy regulations to enable the sharing of COVID-19 test results with airlines to verify they are eligible to undertake their journey.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As the world’s leading airline for safety, innovation and customer experience, we are the industry’s firmest advocate for introducing digital solutions to help passengers safely and seamlessly navigate complex and ever-changing entry restrictions across the globe.

“We have confidence in the credibility of the IATA Travel Pass as the industry’s most reliable and innovative solution given its strong data privacy compliance, long-standing entry rules engine and ability to provide an end-to-end solution. We are proud to be at the forefront of trialling this platform, being one of the first globally and the first airline in the Middle East to trial the technology.

“With the strictest data privacy regulations, IATA Travel Pass is a huge step towards proving that ICAO’s global standards for digital passports do work. It will also assist in laying the foundation for governments across the world to come together in the development of standardised regulations to reduce the current patchwork of red tape across the international travel industry. In partnership with the World Health Organisation, IATA is also engaged in helping to define a standardised vaccine certificate that will be necessary for the opening of borders and scalable increase of global travel”

IATA Director General and CEO, Mr. Alexandre de Juniac, said: “Qatar Airways’ full deployment of IATA Travel Pass is a significant milestone in restarting global connectivity. Governments are requiring testing or vaccination certifications to enable travel and the IATA travel app helps travellers to securely and conveniently manage and provide their credentials. All passengers using IATA Travel Pass can be confident that their data is protected and governments can trust that the “OK to travel” means both a genuine credential and a verified identity,”

Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating by international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. This follows HIA’s recent success as the first and only airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating. These recognitions provide assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. For full details of all the measures that have been implemented onboard and in HIA, please visit qatarairways.com/safety.

The national carrier of the State of Qatar continues to rebuild its network, which currently stands at over 130 destinations. With more frequencies being added to key hubs, Qatar Airways offers unrivalled connectivity to passengers, making it easy for them to travel when they need to.

Passengers can book flights with peace of mind, knowing that Qatar Airways offers unlimited date changes and fee-free refunds for all tickets issued before 30 April 2021, for travel completed by 31 December 2021. The carrier’s industry-leading flexible booking policy also provides the permanent feature of exchanging tickets for a travel voucher with 10% additional value for all customers booking travel via qatarairways.com. For full terms and conditions visit qatarairways.com/Flexibility.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qsuite is available on flights to more than 45 destinations including Johannesburg, London, New York and Singapore.

Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of the Year’ title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times. In addition to this, Qatar Airways home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) was ranked the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ and ‘Third Best Airport in the World’ by the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2020.