The largest aircraft in the fleet of Maldivian, an Airbus A321 has landed at the Maafaru Airport, effectively demonstrating the airport's readiness to welcome international operations.

The government is currently working to facilitate ways to let chartered flights and private jets to land at airports other than Velana International Airport when the country eases the lockdown to welcome back tourists next month.

While Maldives is set to reopen the tourism industry, both Maafaru Airport and Maamigili Airport have requested for international operation permits. The airport in Maafaru has been developed to be an international airport, with Maldivian saying that the airport will be used as a fully international airport starting July.

The Airbus A321 landed at Maafaru Airport in the middle of these talks with 200 passengers and marks the first day since the airline had flown this many passengers at once since home quarantine in the islands began due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PR & Communications Manager at Maldivian, Moosa Waseem revealed that another 180 passengers will fly to Maafaru today.

Maafaru International Airport was developed with USD 60 million in free-aid from the Abu Dhabi fund. Design to land larger aircrafts, the runway at the airport is 2,200 meters long and 40 meters wide. While the airport was opened last December, the airport so far has handled domestic operations only.