Direct flights have started between China and the Maldives after a three-year break. 

An aircraft from Beijing Capital Airline touched down in the Maldives on Wednesday around noon. According to the airline, the airline has scheduled four weekly flights to the Maldives until February 22. 

Multiple Chinese tour operators from the Chinese market told Maldives Voice that they are working around the clock to boost tourist arrival to the Maldives. 

Over the past six years, one of the major source markets for tourists visiting the Maldives has been China. According to figures gathered by the tourism ministry, China has led the Maldives' tourism sector since 2010 and will continue to do so until the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020.

Due to the lockdown in China, traveller arrivals from China have decreased since 2020. With the reopening of the borders, Maldives anticipates an increase in numbers this year.

Maldives anticipates 1.8 million visitor arrivals this year, which is an increase from the record 1.7 million arrivals in 2019.