Kuwait's flagship carrier Kuwait Airways has begun direct operations to the Maldives.

A special ceremony was held at the Velana International Airport (VIA) yesterday to commemorate the beginning of the flight services by Kuwait Airways.

Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Deputy Managing Director of MACL IbrahimThoha, and senior officials of the ministry and MACL took part in the ceremony.

The first flight of Kuwait Airways landed at Velana International Airport at 7:15am yesterday. While the flight was welcomed with a special water salute, passengers received a warm traditional welcome.

Minister Mausoom noted that the flight operations have begun at a time when the demand for European flights had increased. With the service, he noted that it would ease travel for Europeans.

He further added that while demand for Middle Eastern flights will increase in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, direct flights by Kuwait Airways will create more opportunities to travel to the Maldives.

Kuwait Airways will hold two weekly flights between Kuwait and the Maldives.