Russia’s largest private carrier, S7 Airlines, has announced that it will launch a new international service to the Maldives, marking the first time a Russian airline will operate regular flights to the island chain from a city other than the capital.
The twice‑weekly service, scheduled to commence on 30 October, will link Novosibirsk with Velana International Airport using Airbus A320 jets, with departures slated for every Monday and Friday.
The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) confirmed the timetable and noted that the new route is part of a broader effort to diversify the market’s feeder connections. In tandem with the launch, Russia’s TEZ TOUR travel operator has unveiled special vacation packages, offering early‑booker accommodation discounts of up to 50 percent.
The initiative follows a recent visit to Russia by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, who pledged that seven additional airlines will commence Maldives flights in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Russia remains the Maldives’ second‑largest source market, delivering 222,796 visitors this year—14.7 percent of total arrivals—underscoring the commercial significance of the new Novosibirsk‑Maldives link.