South African Airways is set to launch direct flights between Johannesburg and Maldives south in November, Maldives government announced Thursday.
Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer told reporters that the start of direct flights to South Africa would provide a much needed tourism boost to southernmost Atoll Addu.
"Flights from Africa would definitely provide a boost to tourism and trade in Addu. This would also give an added incentive to increase bed capacity in the Atoll," Zameer explained.
The flights would commence from November 24 carrying 300 tourists weekly and would operate to the recently revamped Gan International Airport (GIA).
Air Tour Operator (ATO) handling the operations said the initiative would provide an added platform for the Maldives to trade with Africa.
