The Maldives is poised to welcome a surge in Chinese tourists with the introduction of a wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft, scheduled to commence operations on January 21.

The announcement was made by Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, speaking on PSM's Raajje Miadhu programme.

The newly arrived Airbus, which touched down in the Maldives on January 6, will embark on its inaugural flight to Chengdu, popularly known as "China’s Panda City." With a population of 21 million, Chengdu is a vibrant and modern metropolis. In addition to Chengdu, the new service will include scheduled weekly flights to Beijing and Shanghai, significantly enhancing travel connectivity between the Maldives and China.

The launch of the A330-200 comes just in time for the Chinese New Year festivities beginning on January 29, a period traditionally marked by a sharp increase in Chinese tourists to the Maldives.

The aircraft boasts a three-class seating arrangement, offering 18 business class seats, 36 premium economy seats, and 210 economy class seats, with a total capacity of 264 passengers. Minister Ameen highlighted that the new aircraft is expected to bring approximately 792 passengers weekly from China, translating to more than 40,000 annual arrivals. This development is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to the country’s tourism-driven economy.

To ensure seamless operations, administrative preparations are in full swing, and the airline’s crew is undergoing specialised training for the new routes.

China remains one of the Maldives’ largest and most significant tourist markets, especially during festive seasons. The new flight routes are expected to further strengthen the tourism sector, which serves as a linchpin of the Maldivian economy.