Emirates – Gracing Velana Airport For 35 Incredible Years!

Sunday 29th of May 2022

Since their first flight in 1987 that landed to Maldives, Emirates has flown more than 28,000 round-trip flights, covering nearly 134 million kilometers and transporting 8.4 million passengers to and from Maldives! This was the airline's eighth international destination, and needless to say, it grew into the world's leading international airline in the three decades that followed, connecting the Maldives to a global network of more than 150 destinations prior to the pandemic.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Emirates flying to Maldives, one of the most popular and sought-after locations in the Indian Ocean. Also, this year, the island nation is celebrating 50 years of organized tourism, catering to a rising consumer base in a region seeing an inflow of tourists as travel restrictions are relieved.

Emirates recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maldivian, the Maldives' national airline and leading domestic carrier, to explore code-share, interline, and joint holiday package opportunities, reaffirming its commitment to the role it plays in the Maldives' trade and tourism recovery during the post-restrictions period. The two carriers announced a code-share agreement in February this year, allowing Emirates' passengers to quickly book and connect from Male' to more than 15 domestic destinations and the international destinations offered by Maldivian.

Similarly, at Expo 2020, Emirates maintained its long-standing connection with the Maldives by signing an MoU with the country's Ministry of Tourism. The agreement reiterated the airline's commitment to the island nation and specified a number of activities aimed at promoting trade and tourism to the country.

Cover Photo: Emirates Flight Served With Water Salute At Velana Airport In Celebrations Of The 35th Anniversary