China Eastern Airlines has resumed direct flights from Kunming to Velana International Airport (VIA) officially on Wednesday evening, February 28, 2024.

Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal along with other senior officials of government and relevant institutions welcomed the maiden flight of China Eastern Airlines traveling from Kunming on Wednesday evening.

Besides the government officials, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Wang Lixin was also present at VIA to welcome the China Eastern flight.

The arrival of the first China Eastern flight to Maldives was marked with a water salute.

China is a crucial tourist market to the Maldives, and with the resumption of the China Eastern is expected to boost tourist arrivals from the country.

As of February 26, Chinese arrivals to the Maldives have already exceeded 50,000, and is the top source market to the country in annual terms.