China has decided to launch charter flights to the Maldives from February 14 under the tourism-related agreement signed during President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu's state visit to the country. The announcement was made by Ambassador of China to the Maldives Wang Lixin while speaking to Maldivian journalists.
Ambassador Wang Lixin said China will give its full support to make the Maldives the number one tourist destination in China. As such, the first charter flight from Fuji, China, to the Maldives is scheduled to begin on February 14. She said that although charter flights will commence initially, commercial flights will also be launched depending on demand.
After his visit to China, President Muizzu said that successful discussions were held to increase the number of tourists from China to the Maldives and increase flight operations between the two countries, especially direct flights. He also said that China's Xiamen Airlines will commence flights to the Maldives in March and that the Maldives will expand its marketing efforts in China.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China was the top source market for tourist arrivals to the Maldives. In 2019, the Maldives recorded 284,029 tourist arrivals from China while 187,118 tourists visited last year. The government aims to double the number of tourist visits from China this year.