Zhang Lizhong, the Ambassador of China to the Maldives has stated that the direct flights from China that arrived in the Maldives on Friday were chartered flights arranged to transport Chinese tourists in the Maldives back to their country.
Amid concerns raised by the public when the flights landed at the country's main airport while the government has suspended direct flights from China due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Ambassador clarified via a tweet that while there are thousands of Chinese tourists currently in the Maldives, the flights that landed at the airport were chartered flights arranged to transport back them back to their country.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the company that operates Velana International Airport (VIA) has also confirmed in a tweet that the three flights that came from China on Friday had no passengers onboard.
In a news conference held at the President’s Office jointly by the foreign ministry, health ministry and tourism ministry on Thursday, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said owing to the coronavirus outbreak in China, direct flight from China had been suspended and advised on behalf of the government, the public to avoid any non-urgent overseas travel.
Tourism minister Ali Waheed said direct flights from China to the Maldives has been suspended after discussing with the stakeholders of the tourism industry. “The measures are taken for the health and safety of the Maldivian citizens as well the tourists that visit the Maldives,” said minister Ali Waheed. He further said the relevant authorities have been closely monitoring the conditions of Chinese tourists in the Maldives.
Tourists at the airport
