Israeli Airline to begin flights to
Maldives on December
-More than 500 Maldivians travelled to Israel this year
Minister Adhil said that the Israeli Airline requested for the permission to begin chartered flights to Maldives. Adhil said that the airline will begin operation as per the rules and regulations since none from the powers of the state has prohibited these flights.
Adhil noted that Israel and the Republic of Maldives have enjoyed trade relations since 1993. He said that many tourists from Israel have been visiting Maldives in the past years.
Adhil said that he was informed that more than 500 Maldivians have travelled to Israel this year alone to visit the Masjid al-Aqsa.
“I see that it is very difficult and expensive for Maldivians to travel to Israel. I find it unreasonable to close them this opportunity to visit Masjid al-Aqsa at small cost and with ease,” he said.
The Minister said that the tourism industry and the transport mechanism are interrelated. He said these flights will not only aid the Maldivians to fly to the holy mosque at a cheap cost but also aid the economy of Maldives.
Adhil said that it is the policy of the government to accept the operations of flights not only from Israel alone but also from other countries as well.
Meanwhile, according to some of the international media Israelis wishing to visit the Maldives currently take Royal Jordanian Airlines from Amman to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and then local flights to the Maldives. Fares range from $925 to $1,200, and the trip can take nine hours. A direct flight from Ben Gurion Airport to the Maldives will take six hours.