MACL Joins Maldives Delegation to Russia to Boost Tourism and Air Connectivity

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is participating in a high-level Maldives delegation visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg from August 17 to 21, as part of efforts to attract more Russian tourists and strengthen air connectivity between Russia and the Maldives.

The delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Visit Maldives Corporation, MACL, Maldivian, Resort Life Travel, In Tour Maldives and other tourism industry stakeholders.

Russia remains one of the Maldives’ key tourism markets, and the visit is aimed at building on the strong demand for travel to the destination while expanding cooperation with airlines and travel industry partners.

During the visit, the delegation will hold meetings with government institutions, airlines, tour operators and travel trade partners in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Discussions will focus on increasing tourist arrivals from Russia, strengthening the Maldives’ presence in the market and expanding cooperation with partners involved in promoting and selling the destination.

Improving air connectivity will be a major component of the discussions.

MACL is expected to meet existing and potential airline partners to explore opportunities to increase frequencies and seat capacity on current services, strengthen year-round connectivity and introduce new direct routes to Velana International Airport.

Engagements with tour operators and travel companies will also focus on identifying areas of growing demand and determining how additional airline capacity can be supported through stronger destination marketing and attractive travel packages.

The visit to Russia follows a high-level Maldives delegation visit to China in July 2026, during which meetings were held with airlines, tour operators, travel companies and other tourism industry partners in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu.

The China visit focused on strengthening engagement with another of the Maldives’ major tourism markets. Discussions included destination promotion, travel packages tailored to Chinese travellers, closer cooperation with travel trade partners and opportunities to improve air connectivity between China and the Maldives.

The visits to China and Russia form part of broader efforts to increase tourist arrivals from major international markets while ensuring airline connectivity expands alongside growing demand.

For MACL, the initiative involves working directly with airlines and tourism partners to attract additional services to Velana International Airport and provide travellers from key markets with easier and more convenient access to the Maldives.