China Southern Airlines to launch direct flights to the Maldives

China Southern Airlines is expected to launch direct flights to the Maldives from February 2023 with the first scheduled flight on February 20, 2023. According to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the airline is scheduled to operate its flights from Guangzhou to Velana International Airport (VIA). The airline will operate three weekly flights with a capacity of 280 passengers. China Southern will resume these flights after a three-year pandemic induced hiatus. Beijing Capital and China Eastern currently have flights scheduled to Maldives. Less than a week after China recommenced tourist arrivals, the country has entered the top 10 source markets