Italian flag carrier ITA Airways has commenced flight operations to the Maldives. The first flight landed on December 18 with 300 passengers.
ITA Airways is operating flights between Rome and Velana International Airport (VIA) for the winter season. The flights will make three trips each week until January 22 and will make two weekly trips afterward. Tickets can be purchased at the ITA Airways website or through the company's call center, travel agencies, and airport ticket offices.
Italy was ranked as one of the biggest source markets to the Maldives prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 136,343 tourist visits recorded from Italy in 2019. The number of tourist visits from Italy significantly decreased following the COVID-19 pandemic but has been on the rise this year. The latest statistics show that Italy is currently the fifth biggest source market with 89,218 visits recorded so far this year.