At least three Chinese airlines have confirmed they will resume their flights to the Maldives route in 2023.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) claimed that Hong Kong Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Beijing Capital are expected to resume their respective operations.
Hong Kong Airlines has already booked slots from 01st January through the end of March 2023. The airline will make three weekly trips to the Maldives. Beijing Capital is scheduled to operate four charter flights between 18th January and 22nd February.
There have been no schedule details from China Eastern Airlines at the time being.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, China remained the strongest source market to the Maldives. The Ministry of Tourism reported over 280,000 annual Chinese arrivals in 2019.
However, following the pandemic outbreak, Chinese government grounded its aviation operations completely. This aviation halt reflected in the drop in Chinese arrivals to the Maldives.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom estimated a 10% increase in the annual arrivals to the Maldives in 2023 if China resumes outbound travels.