Locals stuck in Kochi after Maldivian flight cancellation return to Maldives

Maldivian passengers who were stranded in Kochi, India, after a scheduled flight operated by the national carrier was delayed due to a technical issue have been transported back to the Maldives on Thursday.

The flight scheduled to operate from Kochi to the Maldives on Wednesday was operated using Maldivian’s Airbus A320 aircraft. However, the service was cancelled due to a technical malfunction. Maldivian has not disclosed details regarding the specific nature of the issue.

In a statement to Sun, Maldivian confirmed that the Kochi–Malé flight was delayed yesterday due to a technical issue with its A320 aircraft, and that all passengers who were unable to travel have since been transported to Malé this afternoon on the same aircraft.

"Due to a technical issue with our A320 aircraft, Wednesday's Kochi–Malé flight had to be delayed. However, all passengers have now been transported to Malé this afternoon on the A320," Maldivian told Sun/

Direct air connectivity between the Maldives and Kochi, India, is well-established, with Kochi remaining a popular destination among Maldivians for medical treatment, business, and leisure purposes. Maldivian commenced direct flights to Kochi on October 28, 2019.

Flights between the Maldives and Kochi are currently operated by both Maldivian and Indian carrier IndiGo. The journey between Velana International Airport and Cochin International Airport takes approximately one and a half hours, with Maldivian operating the route using its Airbus A320 aircraft.