MACL: Air China, 2 more airlines to start operations this year

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced three international airlines will be starting operations at Vela International Airport this year.

During a press conference held this Tuesday, Managing Director of MACL, Adil Moosa said that MACL was negotiating with three international airlines from three regions which has expressed interest in starting direct operations at Velana International Airport.

Adil said that one of the airlines was an Indian airline – which has expressed interest in starting direct flight operations between Velana Airport and two Indian cities.

He expressed hope Indian Airlines will start the operations in mid-2017.

Two Indian airlines currently operating in Velana Airport are Air India and SpiceJet.

The other airline which has expressed interest in starting operations in Maldives is based in a European country. Adil said the airline will its operations in winter, this year.

The third airline is a Chinese airline.

Adil did not disclose the names of any of the airlines.

Chinese ambassador to Maldives, Wang Fukang announced two weeks back that the embassy was working hard on starting direct flight operations between Chinese national airline Air China and Maldives.