Direct flights between the Maldives and Ethiopia are expected to begin during the coming winter season, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has said.

Minister Ameen made the remarks after signing an air services agreement between the two countries. He signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldives, while Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority Director General Yohannes Abera Belete signed on behalf of the Ethiopian Government.

The minister said the agreement was particularly important amid the current situation in the Middle East. He described Ethiopian Airlines as Africa’s largest airline and said it currently serves more than 165 destinations, adding that the agreement would bring several benefits to the Maldives.

Minister Ameen said direct flights between Malé and Addis Ababa could begin during the coming winter season as part of the Government’s policy to diversify the tourism industry. He thanked President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for his work with the ministry to make the agreement possible.

The agreement is expected to support the tourism industry and improve access to goods imported from Africa. Minister Ameen said it would particularly make importing fruits and vegetables easier.

He also said the agreement would allow the national airline, Maldivian, to operate direct services to Ethiopia and would expand the benefits and development opportunities available to the Maldives through the aviation sector.

Ethiopia is the sixth African country to establish an air services agreement with the Maldives. The Maldives previously signed similar agreements with Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles and South Africa.