Ukraine International Airlines has begun charter operations to Maldives with its first flight arriving at Velana International Airport yesterday. This marks the second charter operations that commenced flights to the country from Ukraine along with Azur Air Ukraine which also commenced operations on 26th December.
The country’s flag carrier Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) connects Ukraine to over 80 destinations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as to New York City and Toronto from its base at Boryspil Airport, and also operates domestic flights. UIA serves over 1000 flights per week.
With the several initiatives to market the destination in Russia & CIS, the tourist arrivals from the region is on the rise. Ukraine is the 8th most tourist arrival market to Maldives since the border reopening with 4,181 tourists as of 23rd December 2020.
Maldives reopened borders to all nationalities from 15th July 2020. All visitors are granted a 30-day free on-arrival visa with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the country.
With Condor airlines resuming services, there are 22 airlines currently operating to Maldives.
Maldives has also extended ‘Split Stay’ for all types of tourist accommodation facilities, allowing tourists to split their stay between resort, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboard boats, with prior approval as per split-stay procedure and guideline by the Ministry of Tourism.
While there is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival, tourists traveling to Maldives are required to complete an online health declaration form and provide a negative PCR test result taken at least 96 hours prior to their departure.
The negative PCR test result must be attached while completing Traveler Health Declaration form, which has to be submitted online via IMUGA (www.imuga.immigration.gov.mv), by all arriving passengers before arrival (but not exceeding 24 hours before arrival time).
Featured Image: Velana International Airport
