Increase in handling fees may threaten flights to Maldives: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has said that the increase in handling fees by airport operator GMR may threaten its flights to the Maldives.

Reuters cited Qatar Airways and said this increase would hurt the airline and thus threatens the operation of its flights to Maldives.

The article on Reuters’ website says, “The Gulf Arab state's flagship carrier said it was ‘dismayed’ to learn of the Male International Airport operator's plan to increase fees by 51 per cent and that the increase would ‘threaten Qatar Airways’ continued presence in the Maldives."

Reuters also reported the Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker saying that this decision is "totally unreasonable".

They quoted him saying, "The Maldives economy is wholly based on tourism. If we or any other major player withdraws services because of these unwarranted and draconian measures, it will be the people of the Maldives who will lose out, affecting their livelihoods as they rely heavily on the tourism industry."

Baker recommended that the operators of the airport reconsider this decision, and asked the Maldivian authorities to think rationally about the future of their tourism industry.

Qatar Airlines carries a large number of tourists to the Maldives every year. The renowned airline operates scheduled flights to all corners of the world.