3 airlines to start scheduled flights; 2 new airlines to start operations

Three airlines which operated chartered flights will start scheduled operations and two new airlines are set to start operations at the Velana International Airport in time for the tourist season, says Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

General Manager of Corporate Communications at MACL, Hassan Areef reported to “Sun” that the two new airlines scheduled to start operations are India’s GoAir and Air France.

Hassan said GoAir will start operations with Airbus 320 aircrafts which the capacity to carry 180 passengers, between Male’ and Mumbai. GoAir is set to launch its operations on December 1. The airline will have daily flights.

Meanwhile, Air France is set to start it operations between Charles de Gaulle Airport in France and Male’ on November 2. The airline will be operating a Boing 772 aircraft with a passenger capacity of 252 people. The airline will have flights twice every week.

In addition, Italian airline Alitalia, Chinese airline Hainan Airlines and Hongkong Airline – which operates chartered flights to Male’ will be starting scheduled flights, said Hassan.

Alitalia will be launching scheduled flights on October 29; Hainan Airlines will have scheduled flights twice a week from December 27; and Hongkong Airline will have scheduled flights three times a week starting from January 16, reports Hassan.